Zoe Moffatt
Suicide-related contacts to Kids Helpline increased three per cent from 2018 to 2022, with local providers noticing a tend of younger cohorts presenting with anxiety related concerns.
New data released on September 11, revealed Victorian suicide-related contacts increased from 14.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent from 2018 to 2022.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health community mental health manager Adam Stefano said these statistics do not come as a surprise following COVID-19.
“The impact of the pandemic lock downs, international and local affairs continue to impact young people,” he said.
“Consequently, many young people did not reengage with support mechanisms post-lockdowns, promoting isolation, disengagement and a sense of hopelessness for many.
“We continue to see higher rates of anxiety related concerns, including adjustment disorders which tends to lead towards school refusal.
“We’re seeing presentations in younger cohorts than what we were previously seeing in the last few years.”
Service provider yourtown runs Kids Helpline, and reported a significant increase in suicide related contacts requiring an urgent “duty of care” response.
Yourtown chief executive Tracy Adams said Kids Helpline provided 4608 duty of care interventions from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
“Of these duty of care responses, 2000 were undertaken where young people were at immediate risk of suicide and required emergency intervention. This is higher than we have ever experienced,” Ms Adams said.
“A duty of care intervention is where Kids Helpline contacts police, child safety or ambulance when a child or young person is deemed to be at imminent risk.
“We need to take this opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote action that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts by children and young children.”
Mr Stefano said he is optimistic of positive changes in the future, but services will need to receive adequate funding.
“Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health were recently provided a grant from Community Bank Gisborne and District to provide Youth Outreach Services across the Macedon Ranges,” he said.
“We are hopeful that this initiative will make a positive impact for young people in the region, however, this program will need further formal support… to increase service capacity.”
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au
