Error: This is required. Error: Not a valid value. If you, or someone else, are at immediate risk of suicide, call triple zero now. Suicide is the act of deliberately ending your own life. More than 65, Australians attempt suicide each year, and 3, Australians died by suicide in In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged between 15 and 49 years old.
Suicide is complex, and there are many factors that might lead a person to experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours. Suicidal ideation can be the result of psychological, social, environmental or situational factors. No one can predict who will take their own life.
But there are some risk factors to look out for, which can include:. There are ways you can help to protect both yourself and others from suicidal thoughts or actions. The most important long-term protective factor is to actively improve mental health. Having strong, healthy relationships with family and friends is shown to improve resilience and build strength for when things get tough.
There is also some evidence that religious or spiritual practice can have a positive impact on mental health, helping with conditions such as anxiety and depression. For some people, spirituality can increase connectedness and resilience, and may protect against mental distress.
However, for others, participation in religion can lead to feelings of judgement, alienation and exclusion. Another protective factor is good access to health services. Being able to get professional help is key to increasing resilience and to reducing suicidal behaviour.
And people who are not in a risk group still die by suicide. Males account for 3 in every 4 deaths by suicide in Australia. This may be because Australian men are less likely to seek help from friends, family or professionals when it comes to their mental health.
Talking openly with the men in their life might encourage them to share their feelings. The suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Hälsa och välmående higher than in the general Australian population. As many suicides go unreported in the indigenous community, it is likely that the true rate is even higher.
Limited access to mental health services may be a contributing factor.