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A new research study by SANE Australia reveals a concerning lack of
follow-up treatment for people with a mental illness who have attempted
suicide.
SANE surveyed 285 people diagnosed with a mental illness who had
attempted suicide or self-harmed. The key findings, published in Research Bulletin 11: Suicide, Self-harm and Mental Illness, are:
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30% of respondents were not referred for ongoing mental health treatment after a suicide attempt
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57% were not offered psychological therapy after a suicide attempt
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80% of people who survived a suicide attempt were not provided
with a crisis plan of what to do if they felt suicidal in the future
SANE Australia’s Executive Director, Barbara Hocking, says of the
findings, ‘this is extremely concerning. We know that people with
mental illness are already at high risk for suicide, and those who have
made a suicide attempt are even more vulnerable. We also know what can
help reduce the risk, yet many people who have survived a suicide
attempt appear to be left to fend for themselves.
‘All people with a mental illness who make a suicide attempt should
be referred for ongoing mental health treatment, but our research finds
that almost one in three are not. Furthermore, more than half weren’t
offered psychological therapy - which can play a valuable part in
reducing suicidal thinking. Current failure to offer best-practice care
is putting people’s lives at risk.’
Research Bulletin 11: Suicide, Self-harm and Mental Illness also
reveals the strategies respondents find helpful when feeling suicidal
or about to self-harm. Almost three-quarters of respondents (73%)
talked to someone about their suicidal thoughts and 57% had contacted a
helpline when feeling suicidal.
Ms Hocking says, ‘this is very encouraging. Talking about thoughts
and feelings is extremely helpful. Respondents told us that reaching
out to friends or helplines not only reduced their risk of trying to
take their own life but also lead to getting help. Callers to helplines
can talk confidentially with trained and understanding advisers who can
provide appropriate advice and referral for treatment and support.’
Thirty eight per cent (38%) of respondents also reported that
walking or other physical exercise was a helpful coping strategy.
Spending time with friends, having an occupation or attending a day
program were also noted as important to improved mental health.
Research Bulletin 11: Suicide, Self-harm and Mental Illness can be downloaded from the Research area of the SANE website at www.sane.org
Note to editors
Additional information
Key findings of Research Bulletin 11: Suicide, Self-harm and Mental Illness
Not referred for ongoing mental health treatment after a suicide attempt .................... 30%
Not referred for psychological therapy after a suicide attempt .................................... 57%
Not provided with a crisis plan after a suicide attempt .............................................. 80%
Talked to someone about their suicidal thoughts ..................................................... 73%
Sought help after speaking to someone about their suicidal thoughts ......................... 59%
Contacted a helpline ............................................................................................ 57%
Found contacting a helpline useful ......................................................................... 61%
SANE recommendations
Early intervention: The strong relationship between mental illness
and suicide needs to be taken into account by policy makers and service
providers to help reduce suicide through early intervention.
Reducing stigma: Media reporting should continue to encourage the
community to talk openly and responsibly about self-harm and suicide as
directed by the Mindframe Guidelines.
Ongoing support: As a matter of course, health professionals should
provide a simple plan for if the person feels at risk again, including
basic advice on how to respond and stay safe, a contact number to call
and details of relevant helplines.
Best-practice treatment: Within any healthcare setting, people who
are vulnerable to suicide or self-harm should routinely receive best
practice treatment, including access to psychological therapies and
national availability of the Specialist Suicide Prevention Services
(SSPS) for GPs.
Further information
Mental health treatment as defined in Research Bulletin 11: Suicide,
Self-harm and Mental Illness is ongoing services and supports such as
psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health service or GP.
Psychological therapy is a primary treatment for people affected by
depression and other mental illnesses. The coping strategies it teaches
can play a valuable part in reducing symptoms and stress, and so the
risk of suicidal thinking or self-harming.
A crisis plan should be an essential part of health professionals’
response to people with mental illness who have attempted suicide or
self-harmed, if the person feels at risk again. A crisis plan should
include basic advice on how to respond and stay safe, a contact number
to call, and details of relevant helplines.
SANE media contact
Briony Walker
03 9682 5933
0414 427 291
 Download media release
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