PM Anthony Albanese addresses national suicide crisis at World Suicide Prevention Day breakfast
At a special breakfast hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia in Canberra today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the huge toll on “every single Australian” from the suicide crisis.
“The extent of this crisis means that every single Australian has been impacted by this,” Mr Albanese said. “Every death by suicide is tragic for those who are gone, who did not see any other way out. It’s also a tragedy for those left behind; the family and friends and associates whose world is changed forever.”
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. In Australia alone, nearly 10 million people have been affected by suicide, according to Suicide Prevention Australia. More than 3000 deaths by suicide occur each year – averaging nine a day – and 75% of these are men.
The Prime Minister revealed that a friend of his partner, Jodie Haydon, had been personally impacted in the past year when a friend on the Central Coast took his own life.
He also acknowledged that while suicide is often linked to serious mental illness, “more often it can be a response to distress [such as] family breakdown, sexual abuse, unemployment, financial loss or insecurity, homelessness, domestic and family violence, social isolation, drug or alcohol dependency.”
In terms of solutions, Mr Albanese highlighted the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support program, which funds several men’s suicide prevention initiatives like Dads In Distress (run by Parents Beyond Breakup).
He said the program include funding for initiatives to support mental, social and emotional wellbeing in men through The Men’s Table and Mates in Construction. He also highlighted the importance of programs working with veterans.
The PM recognised the National Suicide Prevention Officer for opening a public consultation on its Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which aims to guide suicide prevention activities across Australia over the next 10 years.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra today.
The Australian Men’s Health Forum will be working with members and other stakeholders to respond to this consultation and highlight the need for a greater focus on male suicide prevention.
Suicide Prevention Australia is calling for a firmer commitment from the Labor Government to prioritise a cohesive approach to suicide prevention across the country.
“Sadly, today and every day in Australia nine people die by suicide and another 150 people make an attempt to take their own life,” said SPA CEO Nieves Murray. “That’s nine lives cut short, 150 people in extreme distress and family and friends left to grapple with unimaginable grief.
“We support what is included in the Advice on the National Strategy released today and commend the focus on a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention. However, we are concerned about the decision to deliver the document as Advice instead of as a Strategy that was promised to the sector and wider community.”
“International expert opinion is clear. The International Association for Suicide Prevention recommends a National Strategy as best practice. We appear to still be at the starting blocks,” said Ms Murray.
Suicide Prevention Australia’s Community Tracker found that 74% of Australians had experienced more stress this year “beyond normal levels” compared to last year, due to social and economic circumstances. With a sample size of 1056 adults, the Community Tracker reported:
Top five causes of elevated distress:
- Cost of living and personal debt (49%)
- Family and relationship breakdown (24%)
- Housing access and affordability (24%)
- Unemployment and job security (22%)
- Social isolation and loneliness (22%)
In addition:
- More than one in four (26%) Australians know someone in their personal life or networks, who has died by or attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
- Younger Australians (18 to 24 years) continue to be more likely to know someone either directly or indirectly in their personal life or networks who has died by or attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
The top four causes of elevated distress for young people (18-24 years) are:
- Cost-of-living and personal debt (47%)
- Housing access and affordability (38%)
- Social media, self-image and bullying (36%)
- Unemployment and job security (33%)