- National suicide data
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System
Suicide and income/unemployment modelling
The following summary is based on data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) from the National Suicide and Self-Harm Monitoring System (the System). The System was established as part of the national effort to address suicide and self-harm in Australia by improving the quality, accessibility and timeliness of data on deaths by suicide and on self-harming and suicidal behaviours.
When exploring suicide data, it is important to remember that behind the numbers are people, families and communities impacted by suicide in Australia. The reasons people take their own life are complex, and often there is no single reason why a person attempts or dies by suicide. By increasing our understanding of data alongside the lived experience of distress, we will increase the opportunity to save lives.
For guidance on reporting on suicide and self-harm data, please refer to the Mindframe quick reference guide.
Released by AIHW on Wednesday, 26 July 2022
New analysis has been conducted by the Australian National University that extends on the Regression risk models for selected census variables using the Multi-Agency Data Integration Project (MADIP) data set. The MADIP data set links death registration and Census data that allows the analysis of suicide with socioeconomic variables such as income or employment.
The updated analysis examined whether changes in income (income uncertainty or variability) and employment status over time were associated with deaths by suicide. The report illustrates how social factors can influence suicide risk, highlighting the importance of addressing socio-economic determinants in suicide prevention.
Note: The modelling carried out includes only a subset of known factors that may influence deaths by suicide, for example, other known associated factors such as mental health status and history of self-harm are not included in this modelling. Therefore, this data should be interpreted with caution and reported in context.
The analysis showed that from 2012-2016:
- Those in the lowest income group were more likely to die by suicide than those in the highest income group. This holds regardless of income uncertainty (variation in income).
- Those with higher income uncertainty (i.e. higher variation in income) were more likely to die by suicide than those with lower income uncertainty (i.e. more stable income). Those with the highest income uncertainty were 91% more likely to die by suicide than those with the most stable income.
- People who were unemployed were more likely to die by suicide. The likelihood of dying by suicide was 33% higher for the unemployed group compared to those who had no periods of unemployment.
- The likelihood of dying by suicide was higher among those who experienced longer periods of unemployment. Compared to those with no periods of unemployment, the risk of dying by suicide was:
- 96% higher for those unemployed for five years
- 103% higher for those unemployed for four years
- 75% higher for those unemployed for three years
- 57% higher for those unemployed for two years.