SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Australia's suicide rate hits decade-high

Lifeline wants the federal government to double funding for suicide prevention, calling it a national emergency.

A woman showing signs of depression.
The number of people taking their own lives has reached a decade-high in Australia. (AAP) Source: Press Association

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The number of people taking their own lives has reached a decade-high in Australia.

Suicide is the leading cause of premature deaths in Australia, the latest statistics show.

Lifeline Australia CEO Pete Shmigel said Australia is facing a growing national suicide emergency and the federal government must take urgent action.

"We as a community cannot accept this needless loss of life," Mr Shmigel said.

Lifeline will launch a campaign later this week calling on the federal government to double funding for suicide prevention, he said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The suicide rate increased to 12 deaths per 100,000 people in 2014, the highest recorded in the past 10 years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Australia and accounted for one in seven male deaths and one in eight female deaths in 2014.

ABS Health and Vital Statistics Section director James Eynstone-Hinkins said diseases such as dementia have increased as the population has aged.

Dementia surpassed strokes as Australia's second leading cause of death in 2013, he noted.

The top five causes - heart disease, dementia, stroke, lung cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases - account for more than one third of all deaths.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world