What is suicide?

Suicide is the act of ending your own life on purpose. More than 3,200 Australians died by suicide in 2023.

Suicidal behaviour is any action or thought that relates to suicide. It can include:

• thinking about suicide — also known as 'suicidal ideation' or 'suicidal thoughts'
• making plans for suicide
• attempting suicide

1 in 6 Australians between 16 and 85 years of age has experienced suicidal behaviour at some stage in their life.

What are the risk factors for suicide?

There are many risk factors that may lead someone to have suicidal behaviours. Risk factors for suicide include:

• stressful life events, such as financial trouble or job loss
• physical illness
• mental illness, such as depression
• a previous suicide attempt
• drug or alcohol addiction
• relationship breakdown, such as divorce
• bullying

What are some of the warning signs of suicide?

It's not always obvious that a person is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviours. However, many people do show some warning signs before they attempt suicide. They may:

• describe feeling hopeless or worthless
• abuse alcohol or drugs
• stop wanting to do things they usually enjoy
• stop replying to messages, calls or emails
• stop spending time with friends or family
• talk or joke about not being alive anymore
• take risks

Sometimes there are no warning signs of suicide. If you are worried about someone, ask if they are okay and seek professional advice.

How do I talk to a person who has suicidal thoughts?

Talking to someone who has suicidal thoughts can reduce stigma and encourage them to get help.

If someone you know has suicidal thoughts, it's best to act immediately. This may help stop them from attempting suicide.

There are four key steps to follow when talking to someone who has suicidal thoughts.

1. Ask — Be direct and don't be afraid to ask if the person is thinking about suicide. If they are already thinking about suicide, asking won't place them at more risk. Asking shows that you care and gives them a safe space to speak.
2. Listen and stay with them — Take what they say seriously and reassure the person that you can support them. Knowing you care will help them to feel less alone. It's important that you don't leave them alone.
3. Get help — Call a helpline such as Lifeline (13 11 14) for advice and support. If someone's life is in danger, get help immediately by calling triple zero (000) and asking for an ambulance. If the danger is not immediate, encourage the person to get help by talking to a doctor or psychologist.
4. Follow up — Check in with the person often, even if they don't respond all the time. Encourage them to get or continue professional help. Remind them that suicidal thoughts don't have to become actions.

Learn about mental health and suicide to better understand what the person may be going through. You can ask your doctor for advice.

You can read more about supporting someone with depression or a mental illness.

Remember to look after yourself as well. Helping a suicidal person can make you feel stressed or overwhelmed, so it's important that you also find someone to talk to.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

What should I do if someone is going to attempt suicide?

Who is at a higher risk of suicide?

People in the following groups are more at risk of suicide.

Young people

Recent studies showed that people 16 to 24 years of age have the highest rates of suicidal behaviour.

Young people may attempt suicide for many reasons, including if they:

• have less developed coping skills and do not know how to deal with distress
• experience bullying, neglect or child abuse
• are exposed to someone attempting or dying by suicide

If you know a child or young person who has been affected by suicide in their family, it's very important to provide support and maintain open communication with them.

If a child or young person talks about suicide, ask them if they are thinking about suicide. You can help them get professional support.

Males

Males account for most deaths by suicide in Australia — around 3 in 4. This may be because Australian males are often less likely to seek help about their mental health, including from:

• friends
• family
• professionals

In 2023, males aged 55 to 59 years of age had the highest rate of suicide.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

The suicide rate among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is higher than the rest of the Australian population. This may be due to:

• experiences of discrimination
• higher rates of incarceration (being in prison)
• mental health care that is not culturally suitable
• less access to mental health services

Previous suicidal behaviour

People who have previously attempted suicide are more likely to die by suicide than those who haven't.

It's important to keep supporting anyone who has previously attempted suicide. People who have tried to take their own life are at risk of trying again, especially in the first year after their suicide attempt.

People with mental illness

There's a strong link between suicide and many mental health conditions, such as:

• depression
• schizophrenia
• alcohol and other substance abuse disorders
• personality disorders
• anorexia nervosa

Sexually and gender-diverse (LGBTIQA+) people

Recent statistics show that almost half of all LGBTIQA+ people have experienced suicidal behaviour in their lifetime. This may be due to:

• experiences of discrimination
• lack of gender affirmation — when someone's gender identity is not supported
• social isolation

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people

People from CALD backgrounds may be at higher risk of suicide due to:

• social isolation
• being separated from their family and community
• difficulty accessing mental health services because of language barriers
• financial stress
• experiences of racism and discrimination

Australia has one of the largest multicultural populations in the world. In some cultures, there's stigma surrounding mental health issues that means people are less likely to seek mental health help.

Older people

Older Australians may have a higher risk of suicide due to:

• chronic pain
• social isolation
• feelings of loneliness
• grief following the death of family or friends
• financial difficulty

The risk of suicide increases when people don't seek professional help for mental health issues. This is more common among older Australians due to:

• stigma about mental health issues
• being unable to access services
• having less awareness of the services available

It's important to pay attention to the wellbeing of older people in your family, neighbourhood and community. You may need to assist them in getting professional help.

Can suicide be prevented?

With support, suicide is preventable. There are ways you can help to prevent yourself and others from suicidal behaviour.

Ways to reduce the chance of suicidal behaviour include:

• having healthy relationships with family and friends
• looking after your physical and emotional wellbeing
• knowing how and where to access mental health services

If you or someone else is having suicidal thoughts, encourage them to get help. Talking to your doctor is a good first step. They can refer you to another mental health professional if needed.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Having a healthy lifestyle can also help prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviour. You can:

• limit or avoid drugs and alcohol
• eat a healthy, balanced diet
• exercise regularly
• have a good sleep schedule
• reduce or stop smoking or vaping

If you are at risk of suicide, it's important to have a safety plan. This can help you take care of yourself when things get tough, or if you are having suicidal thoughts.

Lifeline has a suicide safety planning app called Beyond Now.

Resources and support

If you or someone else have suicide warning signs, there is information and support available.

• Call Lifeline for 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14, or you can chat online.
• Contact the Suicide Call Back Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for phone and online counselling. Call 1300 659 467.
• Kids Helpline offers online and phone counselling to people 5 to 25 years of age. Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
• Beyond Blue provides information, counselling and support for mental health. Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
• Beyond Now is a phone app that can help you stay safe if you are experiencing suicidal behaviour.
• MensLine Australia offers free 24/7 telephone and online counselling for Australian men. Call 1300 789 978.

You can read more about mental health resources and services in Australia.

State and territory services

There are mental health support services available in each state and territory.

• ACT — Mental Health Triage Crisis and Assessment Team, call 1800 629 354
• NSW — NSW Mental Health Line, call 1800 011 511
• NT — Northern Territory Mental Health Line, call 1800 682 288
• QLD — 13 HEALTH, call 13 43 25 84
• SA — Mental Health Assessment and Services, call 13 14 65
• TAS — Mental Health Helpline, call 1800 332 388
• VIC — The Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Service, call (03) 9342 7000
• WA — Mental Health Emergency Response Line, call 1300 555 788

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander person, there is mental health support available.

• 13Yarn is a free crisis support phone service run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call them on 13 92 76 (13 YARN).
• Black Dog Institute has social and emotional wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Yarn Safe has free online support for people 12 to 25 years of age.

Languages other than English

The Australian Government offers a free translation service. If English is not your preferred language, you can call 131 450. You can request an interpreter 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

You can also visit the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health website for resources in multiple languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.