Suicide Facts

When portraying suicide and suicide risk, it is important to be aware of trends, risk factors, groups at risk and impacts of suicide so that the portrayal will be both authentic and accurate.

For comprehensive statistical information on suicide in Australia, click here.

How many people die by suicide in Australia?

Each year, approximately 2000 Australian die by suicide, representing 1-2% of all deaths registered in Australia. The number of people who die by suicide has decreased steadily since 1997, with the most up-do-date figures indicating that 2,051 people took their own life during 2008.

Generally men take their own lives at a rate four times that of women, although suicide attempts are more common in women.

When does suicide occur?

Sometimes people may suicide after signalling their suicidal intentions to others, including loved ones/and or stranger. In other cases there may be no warning. There are a number of risk factors for suicide (see the Risk & Protective Factors section of this website).

Is the problem getting worse?

Suicide rates for both males and females have generally decreased since the mid-90s, with the overall suicide rate decreasing by around 35% between 1999 and 2008.

Despite the common belief that there is a “youth suicide epidemic”, suicide rates among young males have fallen considerably over recent years (by over 50% since 1997), and suicide in children under the age of 15 is a rare event in Australia.

Although accurate suicide statistics are difficult to obtain for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, figures reveal that the percentage of all deaths attributable to suicide is generally much higher for these populations and may be increasing.

In 1998, the suicide rate for people living in rural areas was found to be higher than for those living in capital cities or other urban areas. Possible factors contributing to higher rates in these areas include isolation, rural poverty and the availability of firearms.

Suicide is the main cause of premature death among people with mental illness. Early detection and treatment of mental illness is important in preventing suicide, although many people do not seek help until symptoms become sever. This may be partly due to the misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental illness (see the section on Mental Illness Facts & Fiction section of this website).

What are some of the impacts of suicide?

A death by suicide can have devastating impacts on family, friends, colleagues, and potentially the whole community. People who have been directly affected by suicide may themselves experience mental health problems, and are at increased risk of taking their own lives.

People who identify with the person who has taken their own life (as someone in similar life stage or circumstances to themselves) may be adversely affected by their death and consider suicide themselves as a result.

If a person is thinking about ending their life, there are some practical things others can do to help:

1. Let the person know you are concerned;

2. Ask if they are thinking about harming themselves;

3. Help them to take action, by pointing out ways they can seek help – e.g. GP, counsellor, employee assistance program, the mental health service, or presenting to hospital.

Suicide and Culture

Suicide rates and risk factors associated with suicide differ between cultures. One quarter of suicides in Australia occur among people who have migrated to Australia, with 60% of these being people who have come from non-English speaking countries. However, rates vary according to country of origin, gender and age.

Suicide rates are generally higher among people born in English-speaking countries, and those from western, northern and eastern Europe, and lower among people from southern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Overall, males born outside of Australia have a lower suicide rate than Australian-born males, while the rate is higher for females born overseas than for Australian-born females. The rate is also higher for people of both genders aged over 65.

Suicide used to be rare among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, but has become more common in recent years. Suicide is more concentrated in the earlier adult years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples than for the general population, with Indigenous males more likely to die by suicide than Indigenous females. Rates of suicide vary between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and over time.

Suicide Myths and Misconceptions

The community holds a number of myths and misconceptions about suicide and people at risk of, or affected by, suicide. Below are some common myths and some accurate information that may challenge these myths.

Myth: Most suicides occur without warning

Although there may be some cases where suicide occurs without warning, many people that attempt or die by suicide give verbal or non-verbal clues before the incident.
Often there has been a history of personal problems, mental health issues, suicide threats or prior attempts.
Many people thinking about suicide will tell someone and some will seek professional help.

Myth: People who attempt suicide are just selfish or weak

People who attempt suicide are often experiencing strong negative feelings (depression, guilt, fear, anxiety) and may believe there is no other solution.
People in this situation need professional and personal support, not judgement.

Myth: People who talk about taking their own life are just seeking attention

Any suggestion of suicidal thoughts or threats of suicide should always be taken seriously.
A person who threatens or attempts to take their life is in need of support, whether or not they are serious about ending their life at that particular time.
Addressing the underlying problems may reduce the risk of future attempts.

Myth: Talking about suicide with someone at risk will give them the idea and increase the chance they will take their own life

Many troubled people may be relieved if the issue is raised in a caring and non-judgemental way, allowing them to talk one-on-one about their feelings and to seek help.
However, specifically raising the issue of suicide in a group setting (e.g. a school classroom), or in the media without providing an opportunity to talk about the issue one-on-one is not recommended.