Help bring suicide stigmas out of the shadows
Help Lifeline be here for all Australians
Tragically, every day in Australia, nine people take their own life.
Suicide is a devastating tragedy that ripples through families, friendships, and communities, profoundly affecting countless lives.
Behind each statistic is a story—a person struggling with overwhelming challenges, loved ones left behind, and a community grappling with grief. But with your generous support, we can change this narrative.
Your donation helps ensure Lifeline can offer hope and a listening ear to those who are struggling, reminding them they are not alone in their toughest moments.
Thank you for being here for anyone who needs support, connection and hope.
It was 6pm on a Monday when former AFL player Archie Smith received the phone call that changed his life forever.
His younger brother Sebastian had taken his own life. He was just 21 years old. Instead of internalising his grief, Archie decided to share his story publicly.
“By sharing my experience, I thought I could potentially stop this from happening again,” Archie explains. “I found that I just got an enormous response, with people reaching out from all different walks of life who had been struggling with the same thing.”
Out of the Shadows Walk
Walk to remember those lost, and to help support Australians in crisis.
Join us on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) and walk 9km anywhere for the 9 Australians who die every day by suicide.
The reality of suicide in Australia
Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and whole communities. The following statistics can be confronting, behind every number is a human life. We believe most suicides are preventable and will continue to advocate, educate and work to keep people safe until we achieve our vision of an Australia free of suicide.
Every day, nine Australians die by suicide.
Over 2 million people reach out to Lifeline for support each year.
Lifeline receives a crisis support call, text or chat every 24 seconds.
Lifeline is Australia’s largest suicide prevention service provider.
Will was 22 when he called Lifeline for the first time.
“I’d just eaten dinner and was washing the dishes, and I just broke down into tears. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion." Will picked up the phone and called Lifeline… and then he hung up.
I felt embarrassed,” he says. “I really felt the stigma. I thought ‘what are people going to think of me?’ I ended up calling a few times. It would ring once, and then I’d hang up. Then I’d call again and hang up again. It wasn’t until the fourth try that I finally let it ring until somebody picked up. That one interaction changed so much for me. I felt at ease.”
NINE MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE IN AUSTRALIA
'Suicide cannot be prevented'
The factors contributing to suicidality are complex and highly individual to the person. While preventing suicide can be challenging, it is possible with ongoing efforts and support.
Effective prevention strategies, such as early identification and treatment of mental health issues, social support, reducing access to lethal means, and education and awareness campaigns, can help prevent suicide.
'If a person has thoughts of suicide, they will die by suicide'
Having thoughts of suicide does not mean that a person will die by suicide. Having thoughts of suicide is more common than you would think, with one in 6 Australians having reported that they had experienced serious thoughts about taking their own life at some point in their lives (ABS, 2022).
Many of these people will not act on their suicidal thoughts. However, suicidal thoughts reflect significant distress and should always be taken seriously. With the right support and care people can stay safe and live meaningful lives.
'Asking someone if they are suicidal will make them more likely to attempt suicide'
Asking someone if they are suicidal, in a compassionate and non-judgemental way, can actually help them to feel heard and supported. Research has shown that asking about suicide can reduce risk by providing an opportunity for the person to express their feelings and connect with support and resources. Talking about suicide will not ‘put the idea in their heads’ or make it more likely for someone to take their own life.
'People will always find a way to kill themselves if they want to'
Research has consistently shown that restricting access to methods used in suicide can lead to a significant decrease in suicide rates - that people won’t ‘just find another way’.
In the 1960s, the United Kingdom experienced a rise in the number of suicides by domestic gas poisoning, as the type of gas used in homes contained high levels of carbon monoxide at the time. Over the course of a few years, the country changed the type of gas used in homes to a less-toxic gas, which reduced the number of suicide deaths by gas poisoning by 70%. The use of other methods of suicide did not increase as a result.
This is because people’s desire to end their life is often a momentary urge, and simply removing the ability for someone to take action on that urge in the moment, can give them the time and space for that urge to subside, and for them to access the help they need.
'If you don’t know how to bring it up with someone, you shouldn’t say anything'
Staying silent about suicide can be dangerous and may perpetuate feelings of isolation and hopelessness in people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. While it can be challenging to initiate a conversation about suicide, it's crucial to do so, as offering support and resources can help prevent suicide.
You don't have to be an expert in suicide prevention to start a conversation with someone who may be struggling. What you say is less important than how you say it, and the care and empathy you show. Simply expressing your concern and willingness to listen can make a big difference.
'Only people with a diagnosed mental illness are suicidal'
Many people often think of suicide as the consequence of serious mental health issues, or that people who die by suicide must have been struggling with their mental health. However, while mental illness can be a significant risk factor for suicide, many people who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours do not have a mental illness.
In fact, approximately 21% of suicides are attributable to mental health disorders (Too et al, 2019).
Aside from mental illness, there are many other factors that can also play a role in suicidality, such as stressful life events, trauma, relationship problems, financial difficulties, substance misuse, and risky decision making, among others. It's important to recognise that the causes of suicide are complex, and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, at any time.
'Only certain types of people are at risk for suicide'
Suicide is a complex issue that can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or any other demographic factor. It’s true that some groups of people are more likely to die by suicide than others, though this is believed to be as a result of higher rates of risk factors they may face, such as discrimination, stigma, and social disadvantage.
For example, some groups of people who are at greater risk of suicide in Australia include men, rural and remote Australians, First Nations Australians, LGBTQIA+ people, low socio-economic groups, culturally and linguistically diverse people and veterans. The myth of suicide affecting only specific groups can lead to other groups' mental health needs being overlooked, and the misconception that some people are not at risk of suicide.
'People who attempt or die by suicide are 'weak''
Attempting or dying by suicide does not reflect a lack of willpower or strength, but rather, a deep sense of pain and despair. People who attempt suicide are often dealing with significant life challenges and/or a range of emotional and psychological challenges.
Labelling them as weak is not only inaccurate, but can also prevent people with thoughts of suicide from seeking the help they need.
'If someone is suicidal now, they will always be suicidal'
While suicidal thoughts and behaviours can be ongoing and tough to overcome, they are not permanent, and with appropriate support, many are able to lead fulfilling lives. For some people, they may experience suicidal thoughts on an ongoing basis, but over time, develop resilience and strategies that help them cope.
About Lifeline
Every day, nine Australians take their own life, a heartbreaking reality that affects countless lives. While each loss is deeply felt, there is hope in our collective efforts to prevent suicide.
Suicide prevention looks different for everyone. By combining our tools, resources, services, and support, we can work together to make a difference and support those at risk.
From crisis support to counselling to self-led support; Lifeline’s many services help to ensure that the diverse needs of all Australians are met and that everyone has support available to them, when they need it, in a way that best suits them.
