Australia needs better suicide prevention strategies as the youth suicide rate rises
The ABC reports on reserahc that has found that suicide rates for young Australians is highest in 10 years. Those conducting the research and others are calling for new prevention strategies.
Suicide rates for 15 to 24-year-olds are at their highest rate in 10 years. One-third of all deaths of young men are due to suicide and twice as many 15 to 19-year-old women died by suicide than in 2005. Suicide rates have also increased for children under the age of 14 years.
41,000 young people aged 12-17 have made a suicide attempt. One-quarter of women aged 16-17 years old have self-harmed. In line with previous findings, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ, and young people with serious mentally illness are at particularly high risk.
If you need to talk to someone, call:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
To read more about this research click
here.