dc.description.abstract | Suicide is a major public health threat and poses a substantial burden on individuals, communities and society in terms of its emotional, economic and health care costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that suicide accounts for about one million deaths every year, with more than half among persons aged between 15 and 44 years. This means that this tragic event occurs more frequently than once a minute. Since attempted suicide has been reported as at least 20-times more frequent than suicide (De Leo et al., 2005), it can be estimated that every 2 or 3 seconds someone initiates a suicidal act. Currently, suicide is ranked among the leading causes of death internationally, and among the top three causes of death in the population aged 15 –34 years (WHO, 2009a). It is projected that suicide will rise to the tenth leading cause of death by the year 2020 (Mathers & Loncar, 2006), which highlights the need for immediate suicide prevention responses, supported by evidence-based empirical research.
In Australia, about 2,000 people die from suicide every year, a death rate well in excess of transport-related mortality. In 2003, self-inflicted injuries were responsible for 27% of the total injury burden in Australia, leading to an estimated 49,379 years of life lost (YLL) due to premature mortality, with the greatest burden observed in men aged 25–64 (Begg et al., 2007). In this age group, suicide represents the leading cause of avoidable mortality for both men and women (Page et al., 2006). In 2007, suicide was ranked as the 15th leading cause of death, and while this accounted for a relatively small proportion of all deaths in Australia (1.4%), in males under 35 years this proportion was 21% (ABS, 2009a).
Suicide prevention strategies in Australia have been initiated at both state and national levels, starting with the 1995–1999 National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, and the subsequent 1999 National Suicide Prevention Strategy (DHAC, 1999). In 2003, the Queensland Government introduced the 2003–2008 Queensland Government Suicide Prevention Strategy, supplemented by various strategies in other states and territories. A key element in both the development and assessment of such strategies is research into rates of suicide across age classes and also geographical areas. | |