Indigenous and new migrants are the most vulnerable groups. Suicides by Greek new migrants have more than doubled since 2000.
Every year Australia mourns the deaths of more than 3,000 people who end up taking their own lives. Of these suicides at least 10%, approximately 300 lives, are lost during the Christmas season. The most dangerous days are from December 20th to January 10th , says Gerry Georgatos, National coordinator of National Suicide Prevention & Trauma Recovery Project, based in Western Australia.
One in 18 victims is indigenous. One in 40 are new migrants and one in 50 Australian citizens. Most are desperate from poverty and homeless. Indigenous people have the youngest victims. Children with multiple traumas who lose their courage to live before they reach adulthood.
Australians who are drawn to suicide are mainly between 20 and 45 years old. Parents or homeless. Among the new migrants are Greeks too. Data provided by Gerry Georgatos indicate that in the last 20 years, the number of Greek migrants who commit suicide in Australia has doubled.
Mr. Georgatos is making an appeal. Especially on these holidays, let us not forget our fellow human beings who may be suffering. Not with messages from the phone or the internet, but essentially though human contact. By being on their side.
Listen to the full interview with Gerry Georgatos by clicking play on the podcast accompanying the original photo.
