ABS SUICIDE DATA RELEASE REINFORCES IMPORTANCE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUICIDE PREVENTION
Lifeline Australia
Key Facts:- Preliminary data for 2025 indicates that there were 3,283 deaths by suicide, with an age standarised rate of 11.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
- Emerging data indicates that the age-standardised rate decreased to 17.3 deaths per 100,000 among men, and increased to 6.0 deaths per 100,000 for females compared to 2024 rates.
- Sadly, this equates to approximately 9 lives lost by suicide every day.
Available for interview:
- Dr Anna Brooks, Chief Research Officer, Lifeline Australia.
- Professor Steve Moylan, Chair, Lifeline Australia.
Lifeline Australia Chair, Professor Steve Moylan, said today’s release of the ABS’s latest intentional self-harm deaths data1 reinforces the need for Lifeline, the wider sector, governments, families, workplaces and communities to work together to prevent suicide and help people access timely, compassionate and empathetic support.
“Today may be difficult for many people. Lifeline encourages anyone who is struggling, or concerned about someone else, to seek support. Trained Crisis Supporters are available by phone, text and online chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Professor Moylan.
“We remember those who died by suicide, acknowledge people who have experienced a suicide attempt, and recognise everyone affected by suicide. Behind every statistic is a person, and the loss has far-reaching effects across families, workplaces and communities,” he added.
“Lifeline acknowledges the people and organisations working every day to prevent suicide, as well as the continued investment by governments, partners and communities that sustains crisis support and suicide prevention services.”
“Alongside phone and digital crisis support, Lifeline delivers community programs for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, together with aftercare and suicide bereavement services, extending support across the prevention continuum,” he said.
Dr Anna Brooks, Chief Research Officer of the Lifeline Research Office, said it was important that crisis services provide tailored human connection and offer pathways to further care.
“The reasons people take their own lives are multifaceted. There is no single cause; suicide can arise from the interaction of distress with a range of personal, social, cultural and economic factors,” Dr Brooks said.
“Suicide can affect any community. However, some groups including men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people living in rural and remote areas experience disproportionately high rates and may also face greater barriers to support. Lifeline designs its services to recognise and respond to these diverse needs,” Dr Brooks said.
“Alongside accessible crisis support, there are practical steps people can take to improve their safety during tough moments. Preparing a safety plan when you are calm and able to think clearly can help reduce distress and provide guidance when you need it most. Lifeline’s free Beyond Now app guides people through creating a personalised safety plan, which can also be shared with someone they trust,” Dr Brooks said.
Beyond Now is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, or online at lifeline.org.au/get-help/beyond-now/.
NB: Preliminary data on intentional self-harm (suicide) deaths sourced from causes of death registrations and coronial information has been released for 2025. This data is subject to a revision process pending coronial inquiries, which means the figures presented below are still subject to significant revision and quality improvement process. Consequently, these data including trends in suicide deaths over time need to be interpreted with caution
About us:
GETTING HELP
Lifeline is committed to supporting any Australian through their toughest moments and providing them with the most appropriate support.
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to connect with Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable.
Contact Lifeline 24/7: phone 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online at lifeline.org.au.
For Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples: If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, you can connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
If life is in imminent danger, call Triple Zero (000).
To donate to Lifeline, visit lifeline.org.au/donate.
ABOUT LIFELINE
For over 60 years, Lifeline has been connecting with Australians, offering free and confidential one-to-one crisis support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Trained Crisis Supporters listen without judgement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As well as operating the 13 11 14 telephone line within 43 Centres around the nation, the organisation also delivers 24/7 crisis text, online chat and a Support Toolkit. Lifeline expects to respond to over 1.4 million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans a day to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe.
Contact details:
[email protected] | 0408 407 376 (NO SMS)