Next generation has ‘lack of hope’ suicide figures reveal

Nearly one in five young Australians have experienced suicidal distress in the past 12 months.

The leading cause of death for our children and young people is now suicide

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Nearly one in five young Australians have experienced suicidal distress in the past 12 months in what is being described as a “problematic trend” that has laid bare the rise of a group of people with a distinct lack of hope for the future.

The data – captured in Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest community tracker – also showed more than 70 per cent of respondents of all ages were in greater mental distress compared to this time last year, prompting a call for the next federal government to take urgent action.

“Each year, more than 3000 Australians die by suicide. That’s nine lives every day,“ Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Nieves Murray said.

“The leading cause of death for our children and young people is now suicide.”

The top three causes of suicidal distress – which includes having serious thoughts of suicide, making a plan or an attempt at suicide – were cost of living, social isolation and job insecurity.

Suicide Prevention Australia also found that more than a quarter of Australians knew someone in their personal life who has died by or attempted suicide in the past year.

Ms Murray said the rising levels of distress were due to “the ­accumulation factor”, with many Australians having weathered a pandemic, natural disasters and 13 rate rises over recent years.

“There really hasn’t been a ­period of respite for the community, any way, shape or form,” she said. “And young people, those aged between 18 and 34, they are the ones that are experiencing the highest levels of distress and … that is a significant change. Historically, it has been people in the middle-aged groups. This is indicating something different, and that, I think, is problematic and indicates a group of people with a lack of hope for the future.”

The community tracker showed more than 80 per cent of young people wanted the next government to take more action to address the high rates of suicide across the country.

“The government released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, and that’s a fantastic and … crucial step forward on the road to reform … but a strategy alone won’t save lives,” Ms Murray said.

“It’s what happens next that will determine whether we are fair dinkum about the prevention of suicide. We need to make sure that the government invests in the implementation of the road map and the strategy.”

Labor and the Coalition also faced a call from peak mental health bodies last week to more effectively address mental ill-health, by making care free to those under 25.

The Coalition has committed to reinstating 20 subsidised psychology sessions should it be elected, while Labor has promised $70m in suicide prevention initiatives and building a national network of walk-in mental health support services.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), or see a doctor