Suicide prevention

Suicide Prevention is a key priority for ACT Health. Community support is available to raise awareness about suicide prevention, as well as inspire and empower Canberrans to make meaningful connections with people who may be doing it tough.

The facts and statistics about suicide

All causes of death, including suicide, are reported annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the statistics are presented two years in arrears to allow for findings as to the causes of death to be finalised.

The ACT

In 2014 there were 38 deaths attributed to suicide in the ACT. Over the past 10 years the number of deaths by suicide in the ACT has ranged between 41 and 24 with an average of 34 deaths by suicide per year.

To see the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics information on number and rate of deaths by suicide in Australia and the ACT follow the link below.

ABS: Intentional self-harm (Suicide) (Australia)

In 2014 in the ACT, the five year, age standardised death rate by suicide was 9.2 deaths per 100,000 people.  The figure for the whole of Australia in 2014 was 11.2 per 100,000 people.

In 2014, the ACT had the lowest rate of suicide in Australia.

Between 1979-80 and 2010-11 the ACT’s rate of death by suicide per 100,000 head of population has ranged between 7.6 and 17.1 with an average of 11.1.  During the same years the rate for Australia as a whole has ranged between 10 and 15.1 with an average of 12.2.

For the full Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on suicide and self-harm trends in Australia follow the link below.

AIHW: Suicide and hospitalised self-harm in Australia: trends and analysis

Getting the facts about suicide

The following sites provide information in the area of suicide prevention policy and research.

Suicide Prevention Australia

Suicide Prevention Australia is a non-profit, non-government organisation working as a public health advocate in suicide prevention. SPA is the only national umbrella body active in suicide prevention throughout Australia, promoting:

  • Community awareness and advocacy
  • Collaboration and partnerships between communities, practitioners, research and industry
  • Information access and sharing
  • Local, regional and national forums, conferences and events

Mindframe National Media Initiative

The Australian Government’s Mindframe National Media Initiative (Mindframe) aims to encourage responsible, accurate and sensitive representation of mental illness and suicide in the Australian mass media. The initiative involves building a collaborative relationship with the media and other sectors that influence the media (such as key sources for news stories).

Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, under the National Suicide Prevention Program, the Mindframe Education and Training program is managed by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health. Program activities include national leadership, resource development and national dissemination, and ongoing contribution to the evidence base in this area.

 

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Page last updated on: 16 Sep 2020