Get help now
In an emergency, call 000.
Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia. If you need help now, call:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
- Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team in your state/territory
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636.
Find a list of services that can help you right now at Head to Health.
Suicide in Australia
About 3,000 Australians end their lives each year – about 8 people a day. Suicide is the third leading cause of premature death from injury or disease, and the main cause of death among people aged 15 to 49.
We lose more people to suicide than die on our roads each year.
It affects all ages, genders and ethnicities.
Find out what we’re doing to prevent suicide, or read more statistics about suicide in Australia.
Impacts of suicide
The impact of suicide on those left behind is profound and long lasting.
Grief around suicide can be complex. Many people struggle to understand the reasons why a person died by suicide. They may feel guilt for not recognising the signs or for what they might have said, or feel they have failed as a parent, partner, sibling or friend. Unfortunately, many grieve alone due to the blame and stigma still attached to suicide.
Because of this complexity, those bereaved by a suicide may be at higher risk of family breakdown, drug and alcohol misuse, mental disorders, risky behaviours and even suicide.
Suicide affects not just close friends and families, but whole communities. Teachers, colleagues, school mates, neighbours, service providers, first responders and many others can all be deeply affected.
The economic cost of suicide is also significant – from health care, law enforcement, emergency services and insurance.
If you are struggling with the impacts of suicide, it is important to seek support.