Suicide Statistics for 2017

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Recently (26 September 2018)  we saw the release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics of the Cause of Death, 2017  which many commentators have focussed on the Suicide Statistics.

The majority of LinkedIn posts related to the suicide statistics appeared either on the day or the following the day of release and as the opinions flowed, the real tragedy became evident. 

One powerful post was that of Bronwen Edwards whom attached the address by Hayley Purdon at the “NSW Ministry of Data – Suicide Prevention Data Forum”.  It was stated that “This week was the release of the 2017 suicide statistics and I am sure we will hear much about these numbers today, but I want to take you back 10 years to 2008, where the rate of suicide was 10.9 per 100,000, as compared to the 12.6 per 100,000 in 2017“ and “The 2010 Senate inquiry, The Hidden Toll: Suicide in Australia, made 9 recommendations about suicide data systems and many of these are still not actioned. The agenda for this forum today would be quite different if they had been. In the 8 years since the senate recommendations 22,044 Australians have died by suicide“.

One organisation posted how disappointing the results were and how we all need to work together and how many people were working so hard.

Another comment stated “We need to be encouraging men to speak out, not letting them suffer in silence” which, when I consider the number of men that suicide after seeking help through the medical community (documented through the 10 year Queensland suicide data) to be somewhat disappointing.  The concept that men don’t communication is questionable and discussed in a personal blog that I posted recently.

There is hope on the horizon

Are current practices missing the mark?

Situational Distress Missing Target
Situational Distress Missing the Target

From the largest to the single person psychology practice, the mental health service providers are having an impact.  I know firsthand as regularly persuade people (mainly men) into their GP for a GP Mental Health program.  In terms of the men I have dealt with, their peers recommend a psychologist that are able to relate to their situation and they get results.

For some time I have admired the work toward a situational approach to suicide prevention as I know from firsthand experience, it works.  Some documents show that 65% (others much less) of male suicides ARE NOT mental health related so why are we focussing myopically on mental health?  Some relevant documents are “A ‘Situational Approach’ to mental health literacy in Australia”  of May 2017 and another is “A ‘Situational Approach to Suicide prevention”.

Some may ask how I know why a situational approach works?  

  • First, it is not new.  As a country we have had social security to assist those in their times of despair (while some would argue the unemployment benefits are abused that is another discussion) and is not considered part of suicide prevention (although without it I am sure no-one would argue the rates would be much higher). 
  • Second, is that I have been a men’s facilitator and attach a video of one personal experience and board member of an organisation that does exactly that.

Terry is a highly skilled outcome focussed executive and project manager.  You can read more about him through his personal web sitebusiness website and LinkedIn profile.