Suicide takes the lives of eight people in Australia every day – more lives than motor vehicle accidents.

It is the leading cause of death among our youth.

In rural and remote parts of our country, the rate of suicide is appallingly higher – 150 to 200% higher.

 

Suicide by remoteness 2010-19 

FACT SHEET July 2021 SUICIDE IN RURAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA

by the National Rural Health Alliance

In rural and remote parts of our country, the rate of suicide is appallingly higher – 150 to 200% higher.

 

People in rural and remote Australia don’t have the same support or resources as those living in cities. Many don’t have access to other life-saving support services.

While telehealth and online services do exist, internet and phone connections can, at best, be patchy in many remote areas. Even in the towns that do have mental health support services, access is difficult.

While telehealth and online services do exist, internet and phone connections can, at best, be patchy in many remote areas.

Image copyright: shotnbydave Creator: shotbydave credit: Gettyimages/iStockphoto

 

There are physical challenges: after a flood or cyclone, the roads and bridges are often uncrossable. Getting into town can be a six-hour return trip, if not longer.

Then there are the cultural challenges: many people are reluctant to be seen seeking help for mental health issues, especially in a town where everyone knows you.

Others have no one to turn to anyway. They live too far away or are too overwhelmed on the property to get into town. Often, following the death of their partner, they live alone.

Frontier Services Bush Chaplains are frontline support of people in the bush.

Bush Chaplain Noel making his presence felt in Narrabri during the Narrabri Show 2023

 

You wouldn’t always guess it, because they don’t come with clipboards or make people fill in a checklist.

Our Bush Chaplains come with a cup of tea, a listening ear, and a compassionate heart.

They are among the few on the frontline of mental health and suicide support and prevention in the Outback. They are a network of love and hope, spanning across the country, reaching the hardest-to-reach places.

 

Suicide is preventable.

 

Through our Bush Chaplains, you can be there for our friends in the bush who desperately need someone who truly cares.