A reduction in the number of suicides last year shows that interventions work, according to Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures showing 2020 had the lowest age-standardised death rate since 2016.
Sadly 3139 people died by suicide in 2020, with an age-standardised death rate of 12.1 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 12.9 in 2019.
Suicide was the 15th ranked cause of death in 2020.
This was despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Murray said the decrease showed that government investments in support measures such as the increase to Jobseeker, the introduction of Jobkeeper, and a moratorium on rental evictions were effective at supporting people's mental health.
"The data is certainly good news, and an indication that over the past 12 months we've begun to turn the trend towards zero for suicide in our community," she said.
The Federal Government also invested heavily in crisis lines and support services during the pandemic, and Ms Murray said the vast majority of organisations saw an increase in people seeking their services.
Mental health crises usually peak two-to-three years after an environmental, social or economic disaster, however, and Ms Murray said it was crucial that support continue.
"This is the time to put the foot on the gas and get serious about a whole-of-government approach," she said.
"It is critical that we continue to see the flow of funds towards suicide prevention.
"Although this is the first significant reduction we have seen in the past five years, studies indicate it's not during a crisis that we see an uptick in suicides, it's two-to-three years later when supports are removed.
"We know it's complex, we know it's tough, but that's why we need to do the heavy lifting now on the unsexy stuff."
Some of the "unsexy stuff" includes a standalone National Suicide Prevention Act.
Such an act would mean new policies and legislation would need to be evaluated from the perspective of suicide prevention.
A reduction in suicide doesn't just save lives - Ms Murray said for every person lost to suicide, 120 people were affected.
"This data is a relief for our community, and shows that taking a whole-of-government approach towards suicide prevention actually works," she said.
If you need support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
