Suicide rates stable through pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has not increased the rate of people taking their own lives, reveals AIHW data-set
The COVID-19 pandemic has not led to more Australians taking their own lives, contrary to some predictions, according to figures released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
An examination of coronial data across Victoria, NSW and Queensland does not show an increase in deaths by suicide during the pandemic, the AIHW says.
But according to the data, it did increase levels of psychological distress, particularly for younger people.
The JobKeeper program, increased JobSeeker supplement and labour market recovery were protective factors against suicide, the report added.
