How you can help save six lives a day (10/9/10)
MEDIA RELEASE
10 September 2010
How you can help save six lives a day
The World Health Organisation has estimated that around the globe approximately 1 million people die from suicide every year. In Australia, more than 60,000 people a year, the majority of them women, attempt to take their own lives. Around 2,200 succeed and of those deaths, three quarters are men.
Suicide is the major cause of premature death among people with mental illness. Of those who have killed themselves, many have been found to have experienced depression or bipolar disorder. When suicide occurs it has devastating and wide spread impacts on those connected to the person who has died and their community including personal, social and economic costs. In fact, suicide claims more lives than motor vehicle accidents each year yet it remains vastly under-researched and little discussed.
Each completed suicide has a ripple effect on the family and friends of the deceased as well as on work colleagues, neighbours, school mates and the rest of the community. While the personal and emotional costs are immeasurable, a conservative estimate for the economic cost of suicide and suicidal behaviour in the Australian community has been set at $17.5 billion each year.
However, there is a silver lining to this bleak picture. With medical intervention, counselling, social support and time, many of those who have attempted suicide, or who have seriously thought about killing themselves, will go on to live full, productive lives.
But to get that mix of therapy right, more effort and funding must be directed towards mental health services and research.
“Australian scientists have made some outstanding contributions to medical research,” says Joy Gillett, CEO of Australian Rotary Health. “However, medical research in our country is dependent on either government or private funding and is therefore subject to changes in political policy and the economic climate,” Gillett explains.
To address the lack of stable, ongoing funds for mental health research, Australian Rotary Health has contributed more than $10 million towards mental health research grants over the past 10 years.
“Mental illness is just like any other illness such as heart disease, diabetes or asthma. Yet myths, misunderstandings, negative attitudes and stereotypes surround mental illness, resulting in stigma, isolation and discrimination,” says Gillett
“Australian Rotary Health is working towards breaking down the barriers to effective care, treatment and prevention through a number of research and awareness projects that aim to bring mental health into the spotlight,” she says.
This Friday, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Australian Rotary Health would like to encourage everyone to use the occasion to help make a difference in their community by raising awareness of the contributing factors that lead someone towards taking their own life.
“We would like to use the day to help raise awareness about suicide and the mental health issues that often surround it,” says Gillett. “By talking more openly about mental health issues, and by continuing research into this vital area of health, we hope to help reduce the burden of mental illness in Australia by providing more and better opportunities to those who are affected.”
For more information on the programs that Australian Rotary Health supports into mental health research and awareness building, please contact:
Verity Twydale
Media and communications
E: veritytwydale@australianrotaryhealth.org.au
Ph: 02 8833 8346