Suicide rates in the ACT has dropped 44%

Source: ABS and Life in Mind

Suicide rates in the ACT dropped 44% between 2021 and 2023.

That’s according the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Life in Mind Report (see here) and the ACT is now below the national average, despite being above it during the pandemic.

Breeny (R4R founder) sent me this a month ago, and it’s taken me since then to comprehend it because that’s roughly 29 lives per year. Which is incredible.

This will be little comfort to families who’ve lost loved ones, but I think it’s worth celebrating and that everyone working and volunteering for mental health and suicide prevention in Canberra deserves applause.

There's still loads more work ahead to reduce rates further, and this could also just be a 'blip' as Canberra is a small sample size.

But I hope ACT's progress can not only inspire the region to keep going, but provide insights and strategies that other states can adopt, to help reduce in suicide rates across Australia.

A suicide free Canberra is possible.

Just. Keep. Moving.