ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said that more needs to be done to ensure young people get help in the wake of new figures which show that nearly 400 young people died by suicide in 2015.
The ABS’s Cause of Death 2015 report has found that 391 young people aged 15–24 died by suicide in 2015. It’s by far the leading cause of death in that age group, accounting for 34 per cent of all deaths.
‘I think we need to pause and remember those 391 young lives that have been lost to suicide, and keep them in our thoughts as we work harder to provide more mental health support to more young people,’ ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said.
‘The fact is 70 per cent of young people who need help don’t get it. Young people face a number of barriers to getting help – cost, transport, waiting lists, stigma, a fear of breach of confidentiality and a preference for self-reliance.
‘If we are going to reduce youth suicide, our mental health system must remain focussed on finding new ways to help young people.
‘We recognise there is a massive unmet need for mental health support among young people, and we have created a service that can meet unlimited demand, is low-cost, and is available at any time of the day or night.
‘Digital services like ReachOut are private, convenient, free and timely, and are delivered in a setting which young people are comfortable with.’
Main statistics to note are:
‘We look forward to continuing to work closely with government and other service providers to ensure reduce the suicide rate  more young Australians can access the right support at the right time.’ Mr Nicholas said.
National 24/7 crisis phone support for young people is available from Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Suicide Callback Service (1300 659 467), and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time for free self-help tools, information, and a peer support forum.
The ABS’s Cause of Death 2015 report has found that 391 young people aged 15–24 died by suicide in 2015. It’s by far the leading cause of death in that age group, accounting for 34 per cent of all deaths.
‘I think we need to pause and remember those 391 young lives that have been lost to suicide, and keep them in our thoughts as we work harder to provide more mental health support to more young people,’ ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said.
‘The fact is 70 per cent of young people who need help don’t get it. Young people face a number of barriers to getting help – cost, transport, waiting lists, stigma, a fear of breach of confidentiality and a preference for self-reliance.
‘If we are going to reduce youth suicide, our mental health system must remain focussed on finding new ways to help young people.
‘We recognise there is a massive unmet need for mental health support among young people, and we have created a service that can meet unlimited demand, is low-cost, and is available at any time of the day or night.
‘Digital services like ReachOut are private, convenient, free and timely, and are delivered in a setting which young people are comfortable with.’
Main statistics to note are:
- 391 young people died by suicide in 2015; an 8% increase on the previous year.
- Suicide accounts for 34 per cent of deaths among 15–24 year olds
‘We look forward to continuing to work closely with government and other service providers to ensure reduce the suicide rate  more young Australians can access the right support at the right time.’ Mr Nicholas said.
Need to talk to someone right now?
National 24/7 crisis phone support for young people is available from Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Suicide Callback Service (1300 659 467), and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time for free self-help tools, information, and a peer support forum.
