Suicide Prevention month – Australis College

Suicide has a massive impact on families and communities all around the world. This September, during National Suicide Prevention Month, it is once again time to raise awareness on how we can reduce rates of suicide.

Suicide occurs when a person intentionally takes their own life. A suicide attempt occurs when a person tries to take their own life however, that attempt fails. Thoughts about suicide (also known as suicidal ideation), are when a person thinks about or considers methods of committing suicide. It is important to note that the majority of people who experience suicidal ideation do not attempt suicide.

In 2017, over 65,000 Australians attempted to take their own life, with more than 3,000 dying by suicide. This is staggering when you consider the age group most at risk is between 15 and 44 years of age. Males are three times more likely than females to take their life, and the suicide rate amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is nearly double that of non-Indigenous. According to Lifeline, for every death by suicide, there is an estimated thirty people who attempt to end their lives.

Child suicide is a very sensitive issue; typically, the cause is a coronial inquiry determining death. In the Northern Territory, rates of child suicide between 2013 and 2017 (13.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) were far greater than any other state or territory, ranging from 1.7 to 3.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

While there are links between suicide and mental health issues, with depression being the most commonly identified, there are also other reasons why someone might decide to take their own life. These include abuse, violence, discrimination, isolation, unemployment, terminal illness, chronic pain, financial stress, substance use, impulsivity, grief and loss, war, bullying, anger, and personality disorders.

You don’t need to be a counsellor or a health professional to prevent suicide, but it is important to be aware of signs of distress and use empathy and compassion to provide support and hope for those who are struggling.

There are a number of warning signs a person at risk may demonstrate, including talking about suicide, preoccupation with death, getting affairs in order, saying goodbye to loved ones, withdrawing from contact and connection with others, self-destructive behaviour, a sudden sense of calm and loss of hope for the future.

If you notice any of these risk factors, speak up. It can feel very uncomfortable to ask a person about their suicidal thoughts and feelings, but asking them if they are OK and starting a conversation allows a person to open up without fear of rejection or discrimination and can be the first step towards getting them the help they need.

The next step would be to evaluate the degree of suicide risk.

The level of risk would depend upon the answers.

It is also helpful to consider protective factors. While risk factors make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die by suicide, protective factors make it less likely. These factors include:

If the person is not in imminent danger, a range of services is available to support the person, which is listed at the end of this article. If you believe the person is in imminent danger and you are concerned for their wellbeing, stay with them and go to the local hospital.

To reduce the risk of suicide or immediately following a suicide attempt, it is important to keep the lines of communication open. Stay involved, listen to the person, encourage them to open up, and seek professional advice and help. Follow up with them and demonstrate that you are a trusted friend and will continue to support them. It can be emotionally draining to support a person who is suicidal, so ensure that you also take care of yourself. Seek out support groups and keep a sense of perspective. Above all, don’t expect to be able to do it all on your own.