Priority populations

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are identified as a priority population for suicide prevention in Australia.

People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities can face distinct risks because of cultural stigma and taboos, combined with language barriers that can prevent help seeking and effective public health communications.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and other sexuality, gender and bodily diverse (LGBTIQA+) people are identified as a priority population for suicide prevention in Australia.

Men are a priority population for suicide prevention in Australia.

Suicide prevention efforts are needed to support men in all of their diversity.

People living in rural and remote Australia are identified as a priority population in need of suicide prevention initiatives and activities.

The term ‘rural and remote Australia’ represents the land area outside Australian major cities and includes inner and outer regional areas, remote and very remote areas.

A previous suicide attempt is the largest single factor indicating future suicide risk and death by suicide. Appropriate professional support following a suicide attempt can help to reduce the risk of subsequent attempts

Older adults are exposed to a range of risk factors which can increase vulnerability to suicide such as chronic pain, dependence on others and loss of autonomy, loss of a partner or friends and loneliness.

The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement identifies veterans specifically as a priority population for suicide prevention.

There are a range of complex interactions between many differing factors that play a role in suicide among young people.