Suicide needs to be examined from a national outlook

Two recent events remind us life is like a box of chocolates. The first was a senior Queensland politician taking leave to deal with mental health issues, proving such issues are not the sole preserve of Australia’s defence community.

Meanwhile in Canberra an indignant DPP who demanded an inquiry into certain legal matters was discovering a fundamental principle, never ask a question to which you don’t know, or more importantly could have imagined the answer.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been conducting hearings, led by former NSW Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas.

Perhaps a little research before accepting the sinecure might have been instructive for Mr Kaldas.

Melbourne’s Monash University academics reviewed more than 60 international studies into prevalence data for suicide death, ideation and attempts.

They found high rates of suicide risk among medical doctors, dentists, police, veterinarians, farmers, construction workers, emergency services personnel, entertainers and artists, those in the transport industry, lawyers, as well as female doctors and male nurses.

According to the Black Dog Institute, suicide was the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders committed suicide at approximately twice the rate of nonIndigenous Australians.

Over 3000 suicides were recorded in Australia in 2018. The research found since 2000 a total of 123 Australian police officers had taken their lives, with most occurring since 2015.

Police suicide rates across the country had more than doubled from 5.9 deaths per 100,000 serving officers in 2000 to 14 per 100,000 in 2022.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare annual suicide monitoring report recorded at least 1,600 serving and ex-serving ADF members died by suicide between 1997 and 2020.

There were 79 deaths by suicide in 2020.

We need to look at suicide from a national perspective but, since individuals rarely signal their intention, external blame is NOT the answer.

Residual survivor guilt creates anger but doesn’t address the problem. Only those who take their lives know why and they cannot appear before Mr Kaldas.

If he had the answers, then perhaps his retirement would be better spent resolving mental health and suicide issues in his former police force.

IF THIS STORY HAS AFFECTED YOU

“Perhaps a little research before accepting the sinecure might have been instructive for Mr Kaldas.

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Mental Health Access Line: 1300 642 255

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

• 13YARN: 13 92 76

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636