A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday found young Australians who took their own lives were usually disadvantaged males disengaged from work, study and mental health services.
Orygen researchers analysed coroner’s reports of 3,365 people aged 10 to 24 between 2006 to 2015 and found the rates of suicide has not significantly dropped.
Despite ramped-up investment in prevention efforts, there are now fears the coronavirus pandemic could worsen the situation.
According to lead author of the study, Nicole Hill, access to mental health services is only part of the solution. She’s encouraging policy-makers to consider other ways to support Australia's youth in school, during tertiary education, at workplaces and online.