Newly launched figures which reveal a marked improve in youth suicides in Victoria are of “great concern” State Coroner Judge John Cain has warned.
Data launched by the Coroners Court on Wednesday exhibits 13 Victorians beneath the age of 18 took their very own lives within the first three months of 2023, a rise from two within the corresponding interval final 12 months.
The 13 deaths, 9 of which have been male and 4 of which have been feminine, are greater than double of these recorded in 2020 and 2021 and are a dramatic improve from the 2 deaths in every of 2019 and final 12 months.
Judge Cain stated the impacts of youth suicide are “far reaching”.
“The deaths of these young people by suicide in Victoria in just three months is of great concern,” he stated.
“The drivers of suicide are complex; we must remember that behind each of these deaths is a unique personal story.
“The impact of a young person’s suicide on the wider community can also be profound and far-reaching.
“Young people have particularly broad community connections, through their families and friends, schools, sporting clubs and other activities they take part in,” Judge Cain stated.
Bernard Galbally, chief govt of Youth Live4Life, a rural and regional youth suicide prevention organisation, advised NCA NewsWire the report was “incredibly disturbing and sobering”.
“Every death by suicide has a huge impact on the friends and family,” Mr Galbally stated.
He stated state and federal governments weren’t investing sufficient in suicide prevention initiatives which provide “higher returns on investment” equivalent to place-based group initiatives.
Mr Galbally stated the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, printed in February 2021, discovered 63 per cent of younger individuals couldn’t entry the companies they wanted in rural and regional Victoria.
“We don’t need any more reports or Royal Commissions,” he stated.
“We know what needs to be done.”
Source: www.news.com.au
