Australia's suicide rate climbs as experts declare a 'national tragedy'
|
Version 0 of 1. The suicide rate in Australia is close to the highest it has been in a decade, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, leading experts to declare an ongoing “national tragedy”. The statistics show that 75% of all people who took their own lives in Australia in 2012 were male, with the highest rate of suicide, 37.6 for every 100,000, in men over the age of 85. Kate Carnell, chief executive of public health advocacy group Beyond Blue, said the statistics highlighted a particular problem among men. “The stigma of dealing with depression and anxiety means a lot of men don’t access the help or support they need,” she said. “Some of that is reflected in the suicide statistics we see. “Stigma is often worse in older people. Some older men, in particular, weren’t brought up to talk about their feelings.” According to research commissioned by Beyond Blue, one in five men in Australia experience anxiety at some point in their lives. The statistics show that the national rate of suicide across all ages and genders is 11 for every 100,000, increasing from a rate of 10.7 in 2011 but still below a decade-high of 11.3 in 2010. Suicide accounted for 1.7% of deaths in 2012, the 14th leading cause of all deaths. In some age brackets, the proportion was significantly higher. In men aged between 20 and 34 suicide accounted for more than a quarter of all deaths. In women aged 15-19 it accounted for 32.6%. “The suicide rate in Australia is a national tragedy,” Carnell said. • For information and support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In Britain, visit the Samaritans website or call 08457 909090 |