Meeting the challenge of suicide prevention

Abstract

• Between 2000 and 2500 people die by suicide each year in Australia. • Over 90% of suicides are associated with mental disorders. • There is now persuasive evidence for the effectiveness of both nonpharmacologic and pharmacological treatments in reducing suicidal behaviours. • There was a reduction of about 20% in the number of suicides in Australia between the years 1997 and 2003, probably due to better recognition and treatment of mental disorders by Gps. • Continuing vigilance in the detection and management of mental disorders should reduce the number of suicides further. • More males than females commit suicide, and the highest suicide rates are now in males aged 25 to 44 years, rather than in elderly males.