Young Australians aged 16 to 25 are experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and suicide attempts at significantly higher rates – and at earlier ages – than previous generations, a landmark national study published today in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry has found.
The study, led by Dr Katrina Witt from Orygen and The University of Melbourne, analysed data from over 14,700 Australians, and found Gen Z were over four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts, up to five times more likely to report suicidal plans, and almost three times more likely to report attempting suicide than other generations.
Dr Witt, who co-authored the study with Professor Patrick McGorry and other Orygen leaders, said the new findings reinforced the evidence that early intervention is critical to addressing the youth mental health crisis.
“This is one of the largest and most comprehensive generational analyses of suicide-related behaviours in Australia to date, and we’re not just seeing more young people report these thoughts and behaviours, we’re seeing suicidal ideation emerge at a much younger age,” Dr Witt said.
“Gen Z reported the highest rates of suicidal thoughts, planning, self-harm and attempts before the age of 25, and these concerning results tell us we urgently need more tailored mental health policies and supports that reflect the unique risks and experiences of this particular generation.
“This is why the field of youth mental health was established – because we know adolescence and early adulthood are high-risk periods for the emergence of mental ill-health, as well as self-harm and suicidal ideation, so we need to intervene early. ”
The study found that risk factors differed by generation. Exposure to suicide in others (e.g. peers or family), as well as witnessing family violence were strong risk factors for Gen Z, while older generations were more at risk due to childhood sexual abuse, substance use and untreated mental health conditions.
“While it’s positive that some of these risk factors have lowered for Gen Z, we’re still seeing increased – and earlier – onset of these suicide-related behaviours in young people, so we need to consider age-specific suicide prevention strategies and earlier screening in childhood to identify these risks,” Dr Witt said.
“We also need to better understand the impacts of social media on young people and the role it might play in the risk of suicidal behaviours – as well as how these platforms might be used as tool to support young people who are struggling.
“As well as developing more programs aimed at supporting the mental health of Gen Z, it’s important we evaluate the impact of policies that restrict those under 16 from accessing social media – policies that potentially protecting them from harmful content but also potentially cutting them off from vital support.”
The data, from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing between 2020-2022, also found that across generations suicidal thoughts were reported by 17.3 per cent of respondents, suicidal plans by close to 8 per cent, self-harm by 9.2 per cent, and suicide attempts by 5.1 per cent.
Overall, almost one-in-five (19.8 per cent) reported experiencing either suicidal ideation, self-harm and/or suicide attempt.