REGIONAL Australians impacted by suicide are more likely to experience multiple losses of family, friends and community members (67 per cent) compared to their city counterparts (60 per cent) – new research has revealed for the first time.
It comes as the findings also show growing concerns the economy, jobs (+7 per cent), cost of living (+4 per cent) and drugs and alcohol use (+5 per cent) will increase suicide rates in the regions in the wake of COVID19.
National peak body, Suicide Prevention Australia, this week released the regional-specific results in the lead-up to World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday.
Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive officer Nieves Murray said more than four million regional Australians had been personally impacted by suicide, with 66 per cent of those living outside city limits supporting the Federal Government introducing a standalone national suicide prevention act.
"I live in our regions and you only have to look around and see that global disasters like COVID-19 hit our local economies, communities and services harder and faster than our capital cities," Ms Murray said.
"The better we can proactively predict what economic and social risks are facing our regional and rural communities, the better we can prepare Australians and prevent suicide rates increasing.
"International evidence shows the best way to achieve this is through a standalone national suicide prevention Aat that embeds a whole of government, not just a mental health, response."
In some encouraging news, Ms Murray said a third (30 per cent) of regional Australians had accessed a suicide prevention service – either on their behalf or someone else – the same rate as their city counterparts.
The regional results are from an exclusive YouGov poll of more than 1000 Australians commissioned by Suicide Prevention Australia as part of World Suicide Prevention Day 2020.
"In shining a light on suicide prevention, it's important to not only help those in need, but also support Australians to know what to say beyond RUOK?" Ms Murray said.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Stand By Murray (0439173310) or via email ([email protected]), Talk it Out (also for people in the Murray PHN region) 1300 022 946 or by heading to www.talkitoutmurray.org.au, Lifeline Australia (13 11 14) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).
Mental health professionals are available at the Beyond Blue Support Service via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3pm-12am AEST or email responses within 24 hours).
GRIM DATA (2019 to 2020)
* Cost of living/personal debt: Regional (68 per cent, +4 per cent) vs city (61 per cent, -1 per cent)
* Economy/jobs: Regional (55 per cent, +7 per cent) vs city (57 per cent, +4 per cent)
* Drugs/alcohol: Regional (72 per cent, +5 per cent) vs city (64 per cent, +0 per cent)
* Social isolation/loneliness: Regional (66 per cent, +6 per cent) vs city (66 per cent, +3 per cent)
* Family/relationships: Regional (58 per cent, +8 per cent) vs city (53 per cent, +5 per cent)
