New WA Suicide Stats: World Suicide Prevention Day 2020

Suicide Prevention Australia

Dear WA Newsrooms & Programs,

Please find new WA figures showing the community's suicide concerns and impacts. These are released on World Suicide Prevention Day today to coincide with the release of Suicide Prevention Australia's inaugural State of the Nation report (see below).

  • 44% of WA adults report personally knowing someone who has died by suicide. That equates to an estimated 900,000 West Australians.
  • 15% (300,000) West Australians estimated to have lost a family member to suicide.
  • 52% of West Australians are concerned about the economy and social isolation increasing suicide rates in the wake of COVID19 and ongoing lockdowns.
  • 62% are concerned about social isolation and 71% about drugs and alcohol.
  • 15% (300,000) WA adults estimated to have lost a family member to suicide.
  • 27% of WA adults report visiting a suicide prevention service on their behalf – or someone else's.
  • 66% of West Australians support the Federal Government introducing a standalone National Suicide Prevention Act.
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