Transcript Geoff`s Presentation

Suicide
OVERALL TRENDS
• Australia: 2213 suicides in 2003. 2320 in
2002.
• The Australian suicide rate in 2003 was
24% lower than in 1997.
• Western Australia: 246 suicides in 2002,
314 suicides in 1998.
• The male suicide death rate is four times
higher than the corresponding female
rate.
• 25% of male deaths between the ages of
20 and 35.
Australian Rate of Suicide for
Males and Females, 1993 - 2003
Aboriginality
Suicide rates amongst Aboriginal males
were more than double those of all males
in the State.
Aboriginal female suicide is rare.
Psychiatric Disorders
One third of male suicides and just over a
half of female suicides were found to have
suffered from a diagnosed psychiatric
disorder in the 12 months prior to their
death. These include:
Depression,
Schizophrenia,
Substance misuse, Personality
disorders.
Geography
Kimberley and Goldfields Health Zones at
1.9 and 1.5 times greater risk. This reflects
the higher risk for aboriginality and young
males in these areas.
Assessing Risk of Suicide
• More than half of all males and 80%
of females who completed suicide,
sought some form of professional
help in the 12 months prior to their
death.
• Increased alcohol and other drug
use frequently occurs in the period
before suicide.
Assessing Risk of Suicide
• Male stressors:
relationship breakdown
psychiatric disorder
drug abuse
financial problems
• Female stressors:
psychiatric illness
relationship breakdown,
issues with family / friends
physical illness
Suicide and Marital Status
Marital status
Males
%
Rates
Females
%
Rates
1007
47%
39.3
193
36%
9.2
Married
734
34%
17.8
191
36%
4.6
Divorced
237
11%
51.5
83
16%
14.5
Widowed
60
3%
34.0
48
9%
6.4
112
5%
-
18
4%
-
Never married
De facto/ unknown
Total
2,150
533
Australian Suicide Age and Gender
Distribution 1993 and 2003