Suicides in Victoria dip despite fears pandemic would drive increase
New data from the state coroner shows was no increase in suicides in Victoria in 2020, despite fears the pandemic would cause a spike in deaths.
There was a 2.7 per cent fall in the number of lives lost to suicide in 2020 compared to 2019, according to statistics released by the Coroner's Court of Victoria on Monday.
State Coroner John Cain.Credit:Louie Douvis
Between January 1 and December 31 last year, 698 Victorians took their own lives, 20 less than in 2019, when there were 718 deaths. In 2018, 717 people died by suicide. There were fewer deaths by suicide in 2016 and 2017, with 653 and 694 fatalities respectively.
There were fears the number of suicides would surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with modelling from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre predicting in May there could be a 25 per cent increase.
Victorian State Coroner Judge John Cain said after a challenging year, it was encouraging to see the suicide rate for 2020 was lower than 2019.
"The exceptional work by health workers and those in the mental health sector has most certainly been a contributing factor," Judge Cain said.
Judge Cain said despite the decrease, the number of suicides in Victoria was still very concerning.
"Almost 700 deaths is far too many," he said.
"As a community, we have a role to play in preventing more of these deaths – by checking in on each other and encouraging open discussion."
Judge Cain said the court started publishing monthly suicide statistics to ensure the public was equipped with the facts.
Of the 698 Victorians who died from suicide in 2020, 520 were men and 178 were women, according to the coronial data. Most were aged between 25 and 54.
Victoria's figures were similar to those released in NSW.
The NSW government last month released data showing a five per cent decrease in the number of suicides in the year to November 2020, compared to the same period the year before.
In response to the NSW figures, Lifeline Australian chair John Brogden said every life lost to suicide was a tragedy and urged people to continue to seek help.
Lifeline's calls increased by 20 per cent in 2020, according to the service.
Mr Brogden said it showed more people were asking for help.
"I hope this is a turning point for mental health in Australia. People in need of help have
been brave enough to get it during one of the most difficult times in memory," Mr Brogden said last month.
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.
Tammy Mills is the legal affairs reporter for The Age.