Nationwide, 3128 people died from intentional self-harm in 2017, rising from 2866 in 2016.

Locally, Lifeline South Coast answered 23,814 calls during 2017 with 20,957 of those calls specifically discussing suicide.

Lifeline South Coast CEO Rachel Norris said while the 2017 statistics were heartbreaking, she was pleased so many people had called Lifeline. 

“Any life lost to suicide is terrible,” she said. 

“The number of calls our Volunteer Crisis Supporters are answering is rising, and while that’s tough, it is also a good thing.  It means that more people are seeking help, more people are talking about about their concerns.” 

The statistics showed an increase in suicide deaths in NSW, from 805 in 2016, to 880 in 2017.

Intentional self harm was a leading cause of premature mortality in Australia in 2017. While intentional self-harm accounts for a relatively small proportion (1.9 per cent) of all deaths in Australia, it accounts for a high proportion of deaths among younger people.

Suicide accounted for over one-third of deaths (36 per cent) among people aged 15-24 years of age, and over a quarter of deaths (30.9 per cent) among those aged 25-34 years.

The statistics also showed deaths from intentional self-harm occurred among males at a rate more than three times greater than that for females.

Ms Norris said Lifeline was looking at new ways to help more and more people become suicide aware.

“Lifeline South Coast has started offering a range of suicide prevention and awareness training sessions aimed not only at front-line workers, but also the general community,” she said. 

“It is important that we can all recognise the signs of suicide and know what we can do to help.” 

Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone crisis support service number is 13 11 14.

Kids Helpine 1800 551 800