New research from Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) has shown the cost of living is the biggest contributor to suicide risk among young people.
The second and third most intense stressors for people aged 18-24 were loneliness and social media.
SPA also found more young people than ever are seeking help from suicide prevention and community services.
Here’s what else it found.
Survey
Every three months, SPA surveys Australians aged 18 and older.
Its aim is to analyse the prevalence of suicidal behaviours, and what factors are currently contributing to them.
More than 1,000 Australians completed this quarter’s survey.
Data
This time last year, the survey revealed the top three stressors for all Australians were:
- Cost of living (49%)
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- Relationship breakdowns (27%)
- Housing affordability (24%)
While this quarter’s findings showed the number of people stressed by the rising cost of living is decreasing, it remained the highest cause of concern.
Loneliness and isolation jumped above housing affordability, which SPA says is disproportionately experienced by young people, and is felt more “severely” than other age groups.
SPA found one in seven Australians had experienced suicidal behaviours in the past 12 months.
Among young people, it was one in four — the highest of all age groups.
Almost half of young people reported accessing suicide prevention services like Lifeline, making engagement with these services the biggest on record.
SPA’s acting CEO Christopher Stone said: “The increase in help-seeking behaviour is promising and highlights the importance of community and peer networks in supporting young Australians.
“This behaviour needs to be encouraged, and these networks further developed through support and funding for key services such as safe spaces which provide timely, prevention focused help.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14
