The recent release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Causes of Death data for 2024 reveals the ongoing need for dedicated support for those bereaved or impacted following a death by suicide, known as suicide postvention.
StandBy Support After Suicide (StandBy), Australia’s leading national postvention program, stresses that 3,307 deaths by suicide in 2024 are far too many. This data indicates that suicide continues to be a critical issue across Australia, with every statistic representing a life lost, a unique story, and many connected lives forever changed.
StandBy’s Lived Experience and Strengthening Community Manager, Jo Langford, says for those bereaved and impacted by the loss of someone to suicide, the data is not just numbers.
“The data represents real people who were loved and who are missed. The lives of those grieving have been forever changed, and the loss will be felt long after these statistics fade,” Ms Langford said.
For every death through suicide, it is estimated that up to 135 people may be impacted in some way. In 2024, this equates to nearly 450,000 people. StandBy acknowledges all those lives lost to suicide and the individuals, families, friends, carers, colleagues and communities bereaved and impacted by these deaths.
The recent data tells us that men continue to account for more than 75 per cent of deaths, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples remain significantly over-represented in these figures each year. In 2024, females aged between 25-29 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate and the highest increase from 2023 data. Suicide rates in regional and rural areas of Australia are again higher than in major cities, the highest in five years, indicating a need for more support in remote Australia.
StandBy’s General Manager, Amanda Glenwright, says the data reminds us that the need for postvention support remains critical.
“This latest data, showing persistently high suicide rates across Australia, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive postvention support,” Ms Glenwright said.
“As Australia’s leading national postvention service, StandBy is available to anyone, anywhere in the country. We are uniquely positioned to provide vital postvention support for those most often impacted by suicide, including those in rural and remote parts of Australia. Our tailored approach ensures that no matter where you live in Australia, the support you need is within reach.”
The impacts of suicide can last a lifetime and knowing that there is ongoing support available at any time, through postvention services like StandBy, can bring comfort and hope during an incredibly difficult time. StandBy provides free and confidential support to anyone bereaved or impacted by suicide anywhere in Australia, regardless of the time since the death.
“We at StandBy know there are many, many Australians who are grieving the loss of a loved one represented in this data and want to reassure you that there is support available to you,”Ms Glenwright said.
“We also know that many different groups are disproportionately impacted by suicide, and we are committed to standing alongside all those bereaved or impacted by suicide, providing specialised and tailored support where it is needed.”
About StandBy
StandBy is accessible Australia-wide, seven days a week, providing free face-to-face and/or telephone support at a time and place that is best for each individual. StandBy operates nationally by partnering with local organisations, engaging their expertise within the community to deliver the most effective and culturally suitable support for each individual circumstance. StandBy offers Peer Support and a Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service (SBCS) across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory to further support those impacted by suicide loss.
For free, confidential support following a death by suicide, contact StandBy Support After Suicide on 1300 727 247 (6am-10pm, 7 days a week) or visit standbysupport.com.au
StandBy – An initiative of Youturn jointly funded by the Australian Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland and Northern Territory Governments.
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Media contact
Lou Gleeson
M: 0475 577 711
E: louise.gleeson@standbysupport.com.au
Report about suicide safely, visit mindframe.org.au/
