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Centre for Mental Health
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Violence in health taskforce
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Programs—Suicide prevention
Suicide is a tragedy and a serious public health problem. Preventing suicide is the responsibility of the whole community, government organisations, health and welfare agencies, and institutions.
A suicide death can have an enormous impact on people associated with the person who dies. Families, friends and the community as a whole are affected. It is estimated that in NSW between 60,000 and 90,000 people may show suicidal behaviour, between 24,000 and 32,000 people in NSW may have attempted suicide, and more than 700 people may die by suicide each year. Further, it is estimated that 39 per cent to 63 per cent of people who attempt suicide were treated in the health system.
NSW Health is coordinating a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention, in consultation with 16 other NSW Government Departments, Area Health Services, non-government organisations, and community leaders. We Can All Make A Difference: NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy was released in 1999 and the NSW Government has committed $15 million recurrent funding for suicide prevention initiatives.
While not all suicide deaths can be prevented, effective and appropriate early intervention at the right time can prevent many suicide deaths. A diversity and accumulation of social circumstances and psychological factors, such as unemployment, alcohol and drug use, personal histories of physical and/or sexual abuse, family discord and mental health problems and disorders, especially depression, may lead people to attempt suicide and prevention strategies need to take these factors into account.
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