Suicide; the unspoken pandemic
Written by a member of the EPIC community
“Suicidal thoughts are common but they can pass. 1 in 6 Australians will have thoughts of suicide at some point during their lives. You don’t need to act on them. ”
The COVID-19 pandemic was a blast from the unknown. It changed our lives. It directed our collective focus to the shocking reality that a virus could wipe out a huge percentage of the population. It needed attention, resources, and action. The world worked together (in a manner) to fight the beast. In retrospect, the world did a pretty good job. It felt like an eternity; however, now in hindsight I wish I’d taken more photos of empty city streets at peak hour, overcrowded bush walk tracks, empty toilet paper shelves in supermarkets…… It was surreal.
COVID stole the lives of too many. I feel deep sympathy for those who lost loved family and friends to COVID. Not only physically unwell and older people, young and fit people too. It was unfair and cruel. My heart is also with those that have immune concerns and were forced to isolate for the entirety of the pandemic, and some are still isolating.
It’s the word ‘pandemic’ that is with me today. Having my 18 year old son tell me this morning that the friend he hung out with last year died of an accidental overdose yesterday is incomprehensible. This news arrived only two weeks after an 18 year old relative ended his life. A friend called today to let me know another teen ended his life by overdose. Our hearts are very heavy. How can this be? Three precious lives in two weeks.
This feels like a pandemic. A comparison of the deaths by COVID and deaths by suicide statistics in Australia in 2021, reveals lives lost to suicide was much higher, (3,144 as opposed to 2,226 to COVID).
Suicide is the number one killer of young people aged 14 to 44 in Australia (AIHW 2018 - 2020). In 2021, 44 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. These figures affect the individual, their family and the community.
How can we put as many resources to mental health, and drug and alcohol related issues as we do/did to COVID? Awareness campaigns? Lobbying the government? Changes to the hospital system, education system, law enforcement system?
The COVID pandemic has been front and centre of the world's focus for more than two years. The world worked together to combat the virus. It’s still with us; however, it is manageable. Isn't it reasonable to combat mental health in such a manner?
I’m a parent who has seen too many lives of young people lost and no one talking about it. So many broken parents, siblings, families, friends, colleagues. How can we improve the mental health of our society and stop young people taking their lives or falling victim to accidental overdose causing death. Let's work together to be the change; 3,144 deaths to suicide in 2021 is too many.
Let’s stand together to fight ‘the unspoken pandemic’.
Calls to action:
AWARENESS. You are not alone if you have thoughts of suicide. One in six Australians will have thoughts of suicide at some point during their lives. You don’t need to act on them. Below are links to information and support.
DESTIGMATISATION. Creating awareness destigmatises thoughts of suicide and mental health illness, allowing for conversations, knowledge and strategies to support yourself and others during difficult times.
ADVOCACY. Encourage mental health and suicide prevention workshops in workplaces, community groups, schools, government organisations, sporting groups, police departments to empower individuals to play a role in suicide prevention.
CONNECT. Promote community connectedness and engage and support high risk groups and individuals.
KINDNESS. To the teenager with their face hidden in an oversized hoodie, to the older person with unkempt hair, to the middle aged person who looks normal. Kindness counts, always.
If this writing has caused distress for you, please seek support by calling:
Emergency support 000
Lifeline on 131114
Suicide Call Back Service 1300659467
Helpful links to strategies, information and support:
Beyond Blue Suicide Prevention page On this page we'll help you find information and support if you're feeling suicidal, unsure what to do after a suicide attempt, supporting someone else or have lost someone to suicide.
Lifeline are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. We exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone. The Lifeline website has resources, strategies and online support.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues - to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they're in crisis.
SANE is for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities. SANE offer a helpline, online chat, community forums and resources. The website offers strategies to have a conversation with someone who may be suicidal. Read the ‘Better off with you’ tab which has real stories of people with experiences of suicidal thoughts and actions.
EPIC Resources pages EPIC Resources offer information, strategies and support for parents, carers, young people, families and community.
CCNB Way Back Support Service was developed by Beyond Blue and is designed to support people who have recently experienced a suicidal crisis or attempted suicide. The Way Back provides non-clinical, practical support in the community for up to three months. Participation is voluntary and support is guided by your needs.
EPIC offers peer support to parents and carers of young people. EPIC empowers parents and carers of young people by providing a supportive community that is safe, anonymous and nonjudgmental. We share ideas, strategies, stories and helpful resources. For regular updates, information and connection, join the EPIC community.
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