New figures show male suicide crisis in men worse than commonly thought

New statistics show that the male suicide crisis has deepened and current estimates of suicidal behaviour among men are just the tip of the iceberg.

The rate of male suicidal behaviour is up to three times higher than commonly thought, analysis of ambulance statistics show.

The rate of male suicidal behaviour is up to three times higher than commonly thought, analysis of ambulance statistics show.

Six Australian men commit suicide every day, but a new report reveals another 30,000 men per year call ambulances when having suicidal thoughts or attempts.

This is significantly higher than the 10,000 men who present to hospital emergency departments in suicidal crisis, according to the Beyond the Emergency report by Turning Point and Monash University.

The study looked at ambulance call-outs to men with acute mental health issues, self-harm or suicidal behaviour and found the current estimates are much lower than the reality.

The three-year study, backed by Beyond Blue and Movember, found 82 ambulances were called every day by men who wanted to take their lives, or tried to.

Those who end up in hospital emergency departments may be classified by their physical condition not mental health status, leading to underestimation of the crisis.

“This research tells us that suicide-related presentations to our health services by men triple when measured by ambulance data rather than hospital data alone,” Beyond Blue chair Julia Gillard said.

The rate of male suicidal behaviour is up to three times higher than commonly thought, analysis of ambulance statistics show.

“It tells us that what we know about male suicide is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the figures illustrate the urgent need for system reform.

“In particular, we must stop the revolving door of acute presentations to hospital emergency departments by valuing and investing more in community-based supports and alternative pathways to deal with immediate crisis,” she said.

Project leader Professor Dan Lubman said better options were needed for men in suicidal crisis.

“If they don’t have life-threatening injuries, they shouldn’t be at emergency departments yet paramedics feel they have too few alternatives,” he said.

National figures show more than 3000 people take their lives each year — most of them are men. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged under 44.

And yet the report, released today, shows only 14 per cent of paramedics had comprehensive mental health training and two thirds felt underprepared to talk to patients about their mental health needs.

Ambulance Victoria CEO associate professor Tony Walker said more needed to be done to train staff and explore the best models of care for such patients.

If you know someone who needs help, contact lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 224 636.

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