The growing gig economy, rising debt levels and more people living alone are risk factors, KPMG report says

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Australia’s suicide rate is set to go up 40% in the next decade unless risk factors such as debt, isolation and loneliness are addressed, according to a research paper conducted by KPMG on behalf of Suicide Australia.

In a paper commissioned by Suicide Prevention Australia for World Suicide Prevention Day, the paper warns if Australia’s worsening suicide rate continues, by 2030 that will mean 1,300 more suicides.

The suicide rate hit an historic low in 2006 in Australia, at 10.2 per 100,000 people, down from 15.4 in 1971. But since then the trend has gone backwards, up to 12.5 in 100,000 in 2017, or 3,128 people.

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The paper warns that in the next decade, without better prevention and intervention, this rate could grow up to 40% or 4,430 deaths by suicide in 2030 (or 14.8 per 100,000).

On the current trajectory, the suicide figure would be 3,801 in 2030 (12.7 per 100,000) while an improved scenario would put Australia at 3,113 deaths in 2030, and a rate of 10.4 per 100,000 deaths.

The paper also predicts that the federal government’s $15m investment in mental health data collection will reveal the official suicide rate is higher than what is currently recorded.

There were a number of emerging risk factors that can affect the suicide rate, the paper found, including finance woes such as people getting into debt and the rise of buy-now-pay-later services that may not adequately check people’s capacity to pay.

The growing gig economy leading to fewer people in full-time employment was another growing risk factor, the paper stated, due to potential loneliness associated with working alone.

Similarly, the number of people living alone is also on the rise, but the paper noted that there was less information over whether household structures would affect relationships and social networks.

The KPMG director and national mental health lead, Andrew Dempster, said in a statement that people should have a broader view of potential risk factors for suicide in Australia.

“This means looking beyond the standard markers that would suggest someone is at risk. Emerging stressors such as rising household debt, increased social isolation and loneliness and the casualisation of the workforce are key areas that must be considered in relation to a person’s mental wellbeing,” he said.

• Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636