‘Ripple effect’: Statistics all Australians should be concerned by
Disturbing figures have been revealed about one of the biggest silent killers in Australia – and they should make every Aussie think twice.
“Check in on your mates.”
It’s a sentence we hear so often but sometimes fall short of understanding the gravity of.
Six months ago, I lost a close friend to suicide. It was the first time in my life that I had lost a friend, especially to such tragic circumstances.
Navigating death in any circumstance is a difficult one, but I have found there’s something particularly painful about having someone you love choose to make that decision.
Aside from the obvious grief, feelings of confusion and anger have often danced alongside it.
In the months since, I have spent a lot of time with two people who knew her closely. The three of us have navigated her death as best as we can, with no shortage of “why” and “how could she?”
But what has surprised me the most is the sheer number of people I’ve met that are able to relate to this experience.
A few months ago in a pub, I sat down with a 19-year-old who had lost his best friend to suicide the week prior.
I received messages from friends and family members who told me stories of late loved ones they had lost in the same way.
My partner alone knows over 10 people who took their own lives.
The last six months have opened my eyes to a sobering reality, that unfortunately isn’t a new one, nor a declining one.
Every day in Australia we lose nine people to suicide. Let that sink in for a moment.
Today alone, nine people will be at such a level of distress that they can’t see a way forward and as a result of that, nine families and nine communities will be impacted.
It’s a club that nobody wants to be in, yet half of the Australian population has a membership to.
CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, Nieves Murray, told news.com.au that “for every death, 120 – 130 people are directly impacted.”
“The ripple effect of one suicide death is quite significant. It reaches families, communities and workplaces.”
Ms Murray joined Suicide Prevention Australia in 2018 after seven years as a Lifeline counsellor and CEO of a national organisation during the mid-2000s.
Like many of us, she has also been personally touched by suicide – something that inspired her to shift into this line of work.
“Advocacy work is really what gets me out of bed in the morning,” she said.
Ms Murray is a trained psychologist and a mother to teenagers but says this work is what allowed to her to really understand the people in her life more.
An often misunderstood concept is that suicide is always intertwined with a mental issue, but Ms Murray told me that this is not always the case.
“Often it is things like financial hardship, social isolation, the breakdown of a relationship or loneliness.”
Over the last three years, cost-of-living has remained the top concern for Australians, as the price of food, housing and basic necessities skyrockets.
But Ms Murray strongly believes that as large as these stressors are, we don’t have to be professionals to understand them.
“You don’t have to be a clinician to connect with people and be a key step in the prevention of suicide,” she said.
Only 22 per cent of Aussies say they are prepared to support someone who is showing signs of suicidal thoughts, but again, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe. I think that people shy away from it because they think they need to be a trained professional, but that’s not the case.
“I would love for the community to embrace getting the basic training,” she said.
As a community, the most important step to intervening suicide is asking the question: “Are you thinking about taking your life?”
“You’re not putting the idea in their head, you’re opening the door for them to talk about it,” she said.
“Allow them to talk about their reasons for dying but also reflect with the person about their reasons for living. It could be a cat, a favourite sport or the fact that Christmas is coming.”
Earlier this year, the Federal Government announced the National Suicide Prevention strategy; a crucial road map for co-ordinated, whole-of-government action to prevent suicide.
The strategy aims to embed prevention across workplaces, schools, social services and more.
However, we’re eight months in and it still has no dedicated funding, meaning it’s largely just words on paper.
“I know the government is juggling complex demands on it’s financial and fiscal responsibilities, but people are reaching out for help more than ever before – particularly young people.
“Our people are saying they can’t keep up with demand and unfortunately, people are falling through the cracks,” Ms Murray said.
If you’re unsure of the right time or the right way to approach a loved one about their mental health, you can consider inviting them on a short walk.
A recent report released by ASICS revealed that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise can trigger a measurable mental uplift.
Respondents who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21 per cent greater uplift in their overall mental state.
It’s not the cure but it is a step in a positive direction and can make these conversations feel abundantly less overwhelming.
Suicide is a deeply complex issue that I couldn’t begin to unpack in 20 articles, yet alone one.
But, I miss my friend every day and I feel the pain that she no longer does.
This World Mental Health Day, I implore people to consider their reasons for living, and the ongoing battle that remains for those of us left behind.
Suicide Prevention Australia offers access to mental health first aid courses, videos, webinars and research papers on their platform ‘LearnLinc.’
