The rising rates of mental ill-health, particularly among young people, cannot be ignored. Research tells us that 1 in 4 young people are highly distressed (NSMHWB, 2020-22). It’s clear that we need concrete, urgent investment in the mental healthcare system, and in preventative and early intervention measures to see change in mental health in Australia. More resources must be directed toward reducing barriers to accessing treatment and increasing preventative measures. Preventative education programs that help equip young people with the skills to handle mental ill-health when it arises, know how to be there for their peers’ who may be struggling, and be able to navigate the mental healthcare system if they need it.

The latest findings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2023 Causes of Death Data are a stark reminder that suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-44 in Australia. This has been the case for over 15 years. 

The devastating reality is that more than 3,000 people in Australia take their own lives each year. That’s 9 people a day. In 2023, 669 people aged 15-29 died by suicide. These numbers are more than just statistics, every number represents a life lost - someone’s child, sibling, friend, or partner - and the heartache that follows is immeasurable.

We honour the memory of each individual we have lost to suicide  and we stand in solidarity with their loved ones, who carry the weight of this loss every day. We also acknowledge people with lived or living experience of suicide, those who have experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, or cared for someone through a suicidal crisis.  Suicide is a complex issue with a ripple affect felt far and wide. The impact of youth suicides are felt by up to 135 people on average, including family, friends, work colleagues and first responders (Cerel, 2019). Friends are left with heavy hearts, struggling to understand and support each other in the wake of tragedy. Communities are impacted, losing not just individuals, but the vibrant contributions they bring to our lives. Each life lost is a reminder that we need to do better, that we need co-ordinated action to prevent people from getting to the point of suicide distress in the first place. 

At batyr, we believe that now is the time for action. We call for stronger investment in prevention and early intervention mental health services to ensure that no young person is left behind. The mental health of our young people is a national priority, alongside creating a system that is accessible, affordable, and effective for everyone.

Our evaluations show the part we play:

• batyr programs reduce both public stigma (Milton, 2016; Ingram, 2017; Milton et al, 2023) and the typically intransigent self-stigma (Milton & Glozier, 2022)

• batyr programs promote help-seeking intention for suicidal thoughts (Ingram, 2017) and show incredible gains in young people seeking help with a 35% increase six months after batyr programs in regional and rural areas (Milton et al., 2023)

• After seeing a batyr program, 75% of young people say they feel more equipped to support a friend going through mental ill-health

At batyr, we believe that now is the time for action. We call for stronger investment in prevention and early intervention mental health services to ensure that no young person is left behind. The mental health of our young people should be a national priority, alongside creating a system that is accessible, affordable, and effective for everyone.

A reminder that if you or someone you know are having a tough time, please call one of these crisis support hotlines, where there'll be someone on the other end of the phone to listen at any time:

• Lifeline - Call 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline - Call 1800 55 1800

• 13Yarn - crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - Call 13 92 76

• Suicide Call Back Service - Call 1300 659 46

For online or face-to-face support, head to our Get Support page, which has details of heaps of different services.