SIX men in Australia take their own lives – every day. It’s an incredibly tragic and disturbing statistic and it’s also a very real one.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the number of men taking their own lives at a record 10-year high, the latest campaign from Lifeline Australia has never been more important.
The campaign – called Our Toughest Challenge Yet – aims to break down long-held barriers and long-held ideas about stoicism and masculinity. It rightly labels the issue a “national suicide emergency”.
It’s key message? It’s OK to not be OK, and it’s OK to talk.
While the statistic is a national one, it certainly doesn’t mean you, or someone you know, won’t be touched by this tragedy.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data said suicide was the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 44 in 2015, with more than 3000 suicide deaths recorded for the first time.
Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women and ABS data (2012) shows more people die from suicide than road deaths.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report also shows western Victoria has the second lowest rate of mental health related hospitalisations in Australia.
“We know from our more than 850,000 interactions across our 24/7 crisis support services each year that reaching out when you’re struggling can be one of the toughest actions someone can take – it shows real courage,” Lifeline chief executive Pete Shmigel said.
Lifeline Australia offers this advice:
- Reach out and ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide. Most people with thoughts of suicide want to talk about it. They want to live – but desperately need someone to hear their pain and offer them help to keep safe.
- Listen to them, allow them to express their feelings and let them do most of the talking.
- Check their safety and if you are really worried, don’t leave them alone.
- Talk about steps you can take together to keep them safe.
- Thoughts of suicide might return, so ask them to promise to reach out and tell someone.
- If you, or someone you know, needs help phone Lifeline 13 11 14, or emergency services on 000.
Are you OK today?
Jessica Grimble, editor