Suicide Statistics In WA (1986 to 2000)

•1986 – 2000: 3,249 suicides accounted for deaths in WA.

•Males completed suicide at around four times the rate of females.

•The financial, social, and psychological costs of suicide are substantial.

•1986 - 2000: 664 suicides aged between 15 and 24 yrs.

•Male suicide in rural and remote areas increased throughout the study period, due in part to an increase in suicide amongst young men in these areas.

•Female rates were highest in the Perth Metropolitan area.

•Rates of suicide for males were particularly high in the Kimberley and Goldfields.

•A quarter of males and over half of the females in this study had previously attempted suicide before the death.

•Increased alcohol and drug use frequently occurs in the period before suicide.

•Suicide occurs more often among males in the highest and lowest groups of socio-economic disadvantage.

• For females, significantly higher rates of suicide only occurred in the group least socio-economically disadvantaged.

• Suicide rates amongst Aboriginal males were more than double those of all the males in the State.

• Aboriginal female suicides is a relatively rare occurrence.

• Aboriginal suicides were more than twice as likely to involve hanging.

Psychiatric Disorders

• One third of male suicides and almost two thirds of female suicides were found to have suffered from a diagnosed psychiatric disorder in the 12 months prior to their deaths.

• Disorders include: depressive disorders, schizophrenia, substance misuse, personality disorders, and adjustmen.

• Of those in the study with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, 28% males and 30.7% females completed suicide within three months of psychiatric treatment in hospital.

Other Facts

• More people died as a result of suicide than as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

• Suicide accounts for just under 2% of all deaths in Australia.

• Most people who commit suicide tell someone prior to their death.

• Most people who commit suicide admit they don’t really want to die, but see no other way to escape their pain.

• Most young people who suicide have been regularly smoking marijuana prior to their deaths.

Risk Factors

Any one can commit suicide: children, young people, adults and

elderly people, male and female, from all different cultures and family

backgrounds.

• Loss of a significant person, object or pet (by death divorce, theft etc).

• Unemployment.

• Loss of self esteem for any reason.

• Illness, disease or injury- both physical and mental.

• Loss of independence.

• Withdrawal or completion of educational opportunities.

• Increased use of alcohol and drugs.

• Significant changes in family structure- divorce, marriage, remarriage.

• History or onset of depression.

• Uncertainty about sexual identity.

• Friendship with some one who has committed suicide.

Warning Signs• Previous threats of suicide: talking,

writing or hinting about talking their life.

• Depression or a sudden improvement of depression.

• Previous attempts.

• Feelings of hopelessness.

• Changes in Behavior, including withdrawal or aggression, or sudden calmness and clarity.

• Getting affairs in order or giving away possessions.

• Verbal warnings signs, statements like: “ My family would be better off

without me.”

“Here take this, I won’t be needing it any more.”

“If I don’t see you again, thanks for everything.”

“I just can’t take it any more.”

Guidelines for Handling a Suicidal Person

1. Listen

2. Ask questions

3. Clarify the problem

4. Evaluate

5. Help explore possible solutions with the person

6. Develop an Action Plan

7. Follow up

8. Develop self care for yourself

Help for Survivors

• Take one day at a time.

• Accept that one day your hurt will become bearable.

• Your feelings of anger, guilt, confusion, questioning and intense sorrow are normal.

• Find someone who will listen to you, not tell you how to feel.

• Remember that crying is a healing process.

• Ask questions.

• Talk about your feelings with someone who will listen without judging.

• Ask for help from professionals.

• Join a support group where you can be yourself.

• Let your church know you need prayer.