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The Advertiser
a day ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Loneliness back in top causes of raised suicide risk
Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Support programme aims to address ‘highly addictive' nature of modern gambling
A national programme to address the harm caused by the 'highly addictive' nature of modern gambling has launched with the message to those suffering that 'this is not your fault'. Chapter One has been developed by Gambling with Lives, a charity founded in 2018 by families bereaved by gambling suicide, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and will now operate across the UK. Director James Grimes said that while there was now more support and treatment for those suffering from gambling harm than ever before, only a small fraction of those affected ever accessed help, leaving individuals and families to bear the burden. A major reason for this was a lack of awareness about the highly addictive nature of modern gambling, with many people wrongly blaming themselves for their struggles, Mr Grimes said. Young people and educators received little to no education on the risks, and professionals who encountered those who were struggling often did not know how to respond or where to turn for help. The launch on Wednesday includes a Ten Point Plan for Gambling Harm Prevention developed by Chapter One in collaboration with London South Bank University (LSBU) alongside people with lived experience, and will be used to inform best practice across the UK. The points include all school children receiving a mandated education session, frontline health professionals being trained to support someone affected and the public being given the facts about the causes and effects of gambling harm. Tom Mills, senior research fellow at LSBU, said: 'We have drawn on evidence from diverse sectors to develop this 10-point plan. 'There is a lot that can be done through messaging, education and support but the narratives must be right. 'In this respect, Chapter One is groundbreaking in its counter to industry framing. 'We fully support this further step towards the multi-levelled public health approach that we desperately need.' Mr Grimes added: 'Far too many people, myself included, have been harmed by gambling. 'Chapter One is here to change that. 'Our message to anyone harmed by gambling is clear: You are not alone. This is not your fault. Free, confidential help is available.' The Department of Health and Social Care's National Suicide Prevention Strategy highlights gambling as one of just six 'common risk factors linked to suicide at a population level', stating that 'gambling can be a dominant factor without which the death may not have occurred'. Earlier this year new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidance encouraged healthcare professionals to ask about gambling as part of a routine health assessment. Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, national clinical adviser on gambling harms at NHS England, said: 'Gambling can have an enormous impact on people's lives – and for those gambling, it can lead to isolation, depression, severe financial problems and in some cases suicide. 'The stigma from being in this situation can be overwhelming, which is why initiatives like this one are crucial to empower people to understand gambling harms and get the right support in place. 'The NHS is committed to ensuring those who need support for gambling harms get it, so if you or someone you know is struggling, you can refer yourself to your local NHS gambling clinic.' A Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) spokesman said: 'BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170 million over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling-related harm, including £50 million in 2024, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85% of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain. 'Each month, 22.5 million adults in Britain enjoy a bet, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.'
