In 2017 there were 3128 deaths from intentional self-harm, an increase of 9.1 percent from 2866 deaths in 2016. A third of those who suicided had a drug or alcohol disorder at the time while 43 percent of those who took their own lives last year were experiencing a mood disorder such as depression.
Suicide rates are substantially higher among men, three times greater than that of women. The number of men who die by suicide is almost double that of those killed in road accidents.
Intentional self-harm is the leading cause of death of people in the 15-44 age group.
In light of the suicide statistics recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, leading counselling service in Australia, Lifeline, has called on the federal government to commit to a target of reducing suicide deaths by 25 percent over five years. The federal government has allocated $36 million to various support and awareness organisations which aim to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide. The Australian Government has also extended a national suicide prevention trials program which is focused in 12 areas across the country identified as being suicide hotspots. The evidence-based program, LifeSpan, aims to prevent more than 20 percent of suicide deaths.
The increase in suicide deaths has been spread unevenly across the nation with the greatest increase seen in the Australian Capital Territory. In Western Australia, the suicide rate is now the highest in more than two decades. In 2017 there were 15.8 deaths attributed to suicide per 100,000 people in WA compared with 12.6 nationally.
How Mental Health Plans Work
Australian GPs are often the first port of call for people experiencing mood disorders and mental health issues. One option for GPs to help their patients manage a psychological issue is to prepare a mental health plan. A mental health plan provides access to psychiatrists and psychologists. Under the plan, patients can access ten individual and ten group sessions per calendar year.
The preparation of a GP Mental Health Plan involves assessing the patient and completing the relevant documentation. All GPs are able to access GP Mental Health Treatment Medicare items however higher schedule fee items are restricted to GPs who have completed mental health skills training.
The Australian Government Department of Health provides links to sample templates for GP mental health treatment plans along with a list of mental health programs designed to build the capacity of the mental health care system.
In case of crisis, contact:
Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 hour crisis hotline)
www.lifeline.org.au
Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
Online counselling available at www.kidshelpline.com.au
Mensline
1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Free nationwide counselling 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au