The figures provide a new insight into a well-documented problem in Ballarat, with 3128 deaths by suicide nationally in 2017, compared to 2866 in 2016 – an increase of 9.1 per cent.

For the first time, the Australian Bureau of Statistics data includes details of the health conditions being experienced by the person at the time of their suicide. 

The data revealed that mood disorders, which include depression, were being experienced by 43 per cent of those who died and anxiety and/or stress-related disorders being experienced by 17.5 per cent. Drug and alcohol-use disorders, which included both drug misuse and acute intoxication, were being experienced by 29.5 per cent of people at the time of their suicide.

The ABS standardised rate per 100,000 people was measured at 9.6 for Victoria in 2017, a slight decrease, but other data from a Federal Government health snapshot last year show the localised rate in Ballarat could be as high as 16.7, the highest of a larger city in the State. 

Melbourne psychologist Dr Louise Du Chesne, who is a specialist in suicide, said there was definitely a link with substance abuse.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is what is often underlying substance abuse problems and it is also a really common co-morbidity with depression,” Dr Du Chesne said.

While the new ABS data does not specify updated figures for cities such as Ballarat, they do show a slight decrease in suicides across the state from a high of 10.9 per 100,000 people in 2015 to 9.6 last year.

Nationally some categories reflected alarming data, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death among 15 to 44 year-olds, with the highest rate for women aged 45 to 49 years.

There was also a 10 per cent increase in deaths in the five to 17 year old age group, with 98 children committing suicide since 2016. Suicide remains the leading cause of death in this age group.

Dr Du Chesne said PTSD and substance abuse were commonly linked to suicide.

“PTSD is trauma-related distress, and experiences such as childhood sexual abuse and early traumas can manifest later in the use of substance abuse,” she said.

“People use drugs and alcohol in an attempt to soothe the pain and distress they feel, a type of self medication that can lead to a cycle of addiction and other issues.”

“Alcohol in particular is a disinhibitor and that means people can behave more impulsively with regard to suicide and can behave more violently to themselves and to others than they would normally.”

Dr Du Chesne said young people were particularly at risk with substance abuse.

“If someone has a vulnerability to developing psychosis and they use cannabis or methamphetamines, it can trigger a drug-induced psychosis that can become a permanent psychotic disorder.”

“Teenage brains are so sensitive. It is a state only replicated in toddlers when the brain goes through significant change and it happens again from 15 to 22 years  - that final big change in adolescent brain development is another one of those sensitive periods, when the brain is so vulnerable.”

Dr Du Chesne said the increased suicide statistics were not a surprise.

“I work in a field where it is far more common than anyone wants to see, and it is hearbreaking for the families.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 

Kids Helpline (for 5 to 25 years): 1800 55 1800

Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 22 4636