SUICIDE PREVENTION

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44, with around 2,500 people dying by suicide every year. That's an average of eight people every day.1 For every suicide, there are tragic ripple effects for friends, families, colleagues and the broader community.

If someone you know seems to be struggling, reach out and connect with them. Showing that you care could make a huge difference in their life. If you are struggling yourself, you might feel better if you reach out for support, get treatment and start taking steps towards recovery.

What are the warning signs?

Sometimes, when a person has a deteriorating mental health condition or a person faces a serious, negative life situation, he or she may consider suicide or harming him or herself.

This is not the case for everyone with depression or anxiety, but it’s important to be aware that for some people their condition may become so severe that they may believe these actions are their only option to relieve unbearable pain.



​Common warning signs

Someone who is thinking about suicide will usually give some clues or signs to people around them, though these may be subtle. Suicide prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously.


Suicide warning signs

A sense of hopelessness or no hope for the future.
Isolation or feeling alone – “No one understands me”.
Aggressiveness and irritability – “Leave me alone”.
Possessing lethal means – medication, weapons.
Negative view of self – “I am worthless”.
Drastic changes in mood and behaviour.
Frequently talking about death – “If I died would you miss me?”.
Self-harming behaviours like cutting.
Engaging in 'risky' behaviours – “I’ll try anything, I’m not afraid to die".
Making funeral arrangements.
Giving things away (clothes, expensive gifts) – “When I am gone, I want you to have this”.
Substance abuse.
Feeling like a burden to others – “You would be better off without me”.
Making suicide threats – “Sometimes I feel like I just want to die”.


Responding to warning signs

Talking to someone about suicidal thoughts can be challenging but if you are unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask.