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Understanding Suicide: Statistics, Risk Factors, and How to Support Someone in Crisis
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3 September 2025

Understanding Suicide: Statistics, Risk Factors, and How to Support Someone in Crisis

Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000. For 24/7 support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide in Australia

Suicide is one of the most pressing public health issues in Australia. In 2023, 3,214 Australians lost their lives to suicide, an age-standardised rate of 11.8 deaths per 100,000 people. It remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 15–24, with nearly 400 young lives lost in this age group last year alone.

Suicide affects genders differently:

  • Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, though women make more suicide attempts.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples die by suicide at almost three times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, with a median age of death of just 33 years.

These statistics remind us that behind every number is a person, a family, and a community deeply affected by loss.

Understanding Risk Factors

Suicide does not arise from a single cause. Instead, it emerges from a complex mix of psychological, social, cultural, and physical health factors. The most common risk factors include:

  • Mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety
  • Chronic physical illness or persistent pain
  • Past trauma, abuse, or exposure to violence
  • Relationship breakdown, financial stress, unemployment, or housing instability
  • Previous suicide attempts or self-harm history
  • Social isolation and lack of connectedness

Recognising these factors helps us understand vulnerability and intervene early.

Suicidal Ideation vs. Suicidal Intent

It’s important to distinguish between suicidal ideation and suicidal intent:

  • Suicidal ideation refers to thoughts about death or suicide. These may range from fleeting wishes to escape pain to detailed planning, but ideation does not always mean the person intends to act.
  • Suicidal intent involves both a plan and a determination to follow through. When intent is present, the level of risk is higher and requires urgent intervention.

Understanding this distinction can guide how best to respond.

How to Respond if Someone is Suicidal

If you are concerned about someone, your support can make a difference. Here are some practical steps:

  1. Start the conversation – Ask directly but gently: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
  2. Listen without judgment – Let them share their story. Avoid minimising their pain.
  3. Stay calm and compassionate – Show that you care and that they are not alone.
  4. Encourage professional help – Suggest calling a helpline, speaking with a GP, or seeing a mental health professional. Offer to go with them.
  5. Don’t promise secrecy – If their life is at risk, seek immediate help even if they don’t want you to.
  6. Stay with them if they’re in danger – Call 000 or take them to the nearest emergency department.

Strategies for Increasing Safety

Building safety is about more than managing a crisis. Some effective strategies include:

  • Safety planning – Work with the person to create a written plan that identifies triggers, coping strategies, and support contacts. Lifeline’s Beyond Now App is a fantastic resource for safety planning
  • Reducing access to means – Where possible, remove or secure things that could be used to harm themselves.
  • Follow-up and aftercare – Consistent contact after hospitalisation or past attempts significantly reduces risk.
  • Strengthening connection – Encourage involvement in supportive communities, family, or cultural networks.

Where to Get Help: 24/7 Support Services in Australia

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out:

Final Thoughts

Suicide is preventable. By recognising the warning signs, understanding risk factors, and responding with compassion, we can help reduce the risk and support people through their darkest moments.

Reaching out can feel hard, but your conversation could save a life.