A record number of people died by suicide in Victoria last year, with 801 deaths recorded across the state in 2023. This figure is up 5.3 per cent on 2022, outstripping population growth and representing 40 additional deaths.
The findings, released by the Victorian Coroner’s Court in the Annual Suicide Data Report, show a significant increase in deaths amongst the 35-44 demographic (from 129 in 2022 to 168 in 2023), and an 85.7 per cent increase in suicide amongst under 18s (from 14 deaths in 2022 to 26 in 2023).
There was a 9 per cent increase in deaths in the 18-25 year age group, with 73 deaths in 2023, and a pronounced increase in the deaths amongst women.
Professor Patrick McGorry, executive director at Orygen, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health, said the latest figures were extremely concerning.
“This latest report shows that from 2019 to 2023, just a five-year period, we have lost 3,615 Victorians to suicide, with the highest number dying in 2023,” Professor McGorry said.
“This figure is unacceptable, and we need to redouble our efforts to bring these numbers down through more research, awareness, better supports and funding.”
Professor McGorry said that the lack of public discussion following the Coroner’s Suicide Data Report was troubling, and suggested more could be done to bring conversations about suicide into the open.
“The tragic road toll figures in Victoria are the topic of much discussion, debate and political action,” Professor McGorry said.
“Action to address the road toll is of course absolutely critical, but given nearly three times more people die by suicide than on our roads in Victoria, it’s clear we need to talk more about mental health and suicide prevention.”
Professor Jo Robinson from the suicide prevention research team at Orygen said the pronounced increase in deaths amongst older cohorts was all the more reason to focus on early intervention to support young people’s mental health.
“We know that 75 per cent of mental ill-health begins before the age of 25,” Professor Robinson said.
“And while we can see from this report the tragic increase in deaths amongst young people, we also know many of the people in older age groups could have benefited from early intervention to prevent these tragic and unnecessary deaths.”