TODAY around 178 people will attempt suicide in Australia, according to figures released by the Salvation Army, and more than half of these people will be hospitalised as a result.
Seven people will succeed in their suicide attempt.
These are the startling figures released by the Salvation Army in the lead-up to the third Australian Postvention conference, which will take place in Sydney later this month.
Postvention is a way of supporting the friends and family left behind after a suicide has happened.
The Salvation Army says it estimates that after every suicide at least six people, such as close friends and family, will suffer intense grief.
A further 13 to 30 people will experience moderate grief and there will be over 50 people who will experience strong emotions as a result of the suicide death.
The Salvos say suicide impacts on the lives of up to 200,000 people in some way each year.
Director of the Salvation Army’s Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support Services, Envoy Alan Staines, says everyone needs to do more to support and help affected families and individuals. He says the current rate of suicide in Australia is a national tragedy.
The third Australian Postvention conference will bring together Australian and global experts on the issue to talk about postvention and ways forward.
The 2012 conference is aimed at people bereaved by suicide, and also those who work in the field, such as carers, crisis intervention and mental health professionals and clergy.
There will be a separate stream to support people who have been bereaved by suicide.
The third Australian Postvention Conference will run from June 28-30 at Sydney University.
Anyone wanting to attend, or know more about the conference, can call Isabella Ne’Roi on (02) 9414 4970 or call Alan Staines on 0412 164 575, or by going online to hotelnetwork.com.au
People bereaved by suicide, can get assistance by calling 24/7 the National Hope Line 1300 467 354 (1300 HOPE LINE) or visiting suicideprevention.salvos.org.au