Our Specalities

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Insight Clinic

Suicide is a major growing health concern in Australia.

As per the Australian State and Territory suicide data 2016 over a five year period from 2012 to 2016, the average number of suicide deaths per year was 2,795.

• Suicide is approximately three times higher in males, which is consistent across every state and territory of Australia.
• Overall, the age-specific suicide rate in 2016 was highest in men aged 85 or above (34.0 per 100,000), which has been the age group with the highest rate since 2011.

Suicide can be preventable!

Ongoing periods of low mood, ruminations and worries that leads to suicide provoking thoughts. Sadly, after a period of rumination and worries, the individual comes to the conclusion that the world will be a better place without them and the individual get obsessed with suicidal ideation which can lead them to act on it.

The likelihood of attempting or committing suicide is also depends on the plans that the individual makes about suicide and how easily accessible these plans are to those individuals. Also, the risk escalates if the person had previous attempts of suicide and the desensitization from such actions. If you are worried about yourself or someone close to you it is important to seek help early.

Unfortunately, an average household is fully potential to cause significant harm to an individual due to the easy access to lethal objects and hazardous chemicals/substances. It is impossible to remove them all, but we can still do some groundworks to reduce the risks. This includes,

• Firearms: Due to the impulsive nature of suicidal ideation, storing a firearm in household and its easy access can be lethal. Keep them away or lock them up.
• Drugs, Medications and Alcohol: unfortunately, certain prescription drugs with the combination of alcohol and illicit drugs can cause instant death. Limit the number of pills available each day. Keep them away or lock them up. It’s ideal to ban street drugs all together.
• Household Products: Household cleaning chemicals including bleach, pesticides and insecticides needs to be kept away or locked securely. This also includes any sharp objects including kitchen knives to be removed or locked up.

Feeling like not yourself?

It is important to seek help at the early stages. Please talk to a Mental Health Professional or a person that you trust.

If you feel that you are at high risks of self-harm or suicides or having thoughts about such, please reach out for help on the following phone numbers. They are available 24/7.

For Emergency Call 000

LifeLine – 13 11 14

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800

Men’s Line – 1300 78 99 78

Suicide call back service – 1300 659 467

Suicide Line Victoria – 1300 651 251