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The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Loneliness back in top causes of raised suicide risk
Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward "deeper social challenges impacting the nation". Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. "There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that," he said. "One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need." The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. "That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign," Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. "That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan," he said. "But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. "What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act." The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Rooting for the Community - Asda Foundation plants £3k in local orchard
A grassroots group dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in need has been awarded a major grant by Asda's charity to transform a Dunfermline orchard into an inclusive space for all. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Asda Foundation has backed The Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland (KTGCS) with a donation of £3,000, a sum the group will use to improve wheelchair and pushchair access so more people than ever can enjoy their outdoor community space. Founded by Armed Forces veterans in 2021, KTGCS works to support people struggling with a range of challenges from mental health issues and poverty to isolation and loneliness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The funding, granted through Asda Dunfermline, has been delivered as part of the Asda Foundation's Outdoor Community Spaces Fund, which aims to help community groups transform their local areas, enhance access to shared outdoor spaces for marginalised and vulnerable groups and help to combat loneliness. Katie Banks, Operations Manager, KTGCS, Barbara Inglis, Community Champion, Asda Dunfermline, Gary Stevenson, Chairman, KTGCS The funding follows feedback from the Community Tracker, an insights survey commissioned by Asda and the Asda Foundation, where more than four in five Asda customers said having access to safe outside spaces makes a positive difference to the mental health of people in their community. Katie Banks, Operations Manager at Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland, said: 'We applied for this grant from the Asda Foundation to help make our orchard an inclusive and accessible place for everyone. We wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome, including those with mobility needs, young families, and people who might not usually access green spaces. 'With the funding, we purchased recycled picnic tables, which can accommodate a wheelchair and push chairs. Our charity supports hundreds of people across the local community each year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The orchard is open to all and will benefit more than 300 local residents, providing a peaceful, inclusive space to connect, grow food, and take part in activities like composting, fruit harvesting, and community gardening.' Barbara Inglis, Community Champion, Asda Dunfermline said: 'Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland are a really tremendous group of volunteers who have worked super hard over the last three years to build the charity into the thriving community hub it is today. 'They began by supplying care packs to people in the community experiencing homelessness, and have since grown to provide hot meals, school uniforms, a baby bank and now have started a community orchard and garden, which will be open and inclusive to everyone in the local area. 'It is truly a fantastic project, and I'm incredibly proud to have played a part in the journey. There's still a way to go before it's complete, but it will be well worth it and benefit the whole community.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Martin Kendal, Communications and Impact advisor, Asda Foundation said: 'Our research consistently shows that communities value access to safe and welcoming public spaces. Spending time outdoors has a positive impact on health and wellbeing, and community-driven projects like this help strengthen local connections and foster pride in our surroundings. We are proud to support grassroots initiatives like this one in making a lasting impact.' Katie Banks from KTGCS added: 'A big thanks to Barbara and the Asda Foundation. The impact of the grant is already being felt. There's been a real sense of excitement and growing community engagement.' The Asda Foundation announced funding of up to £500,000 earlier this year for grants nationwide through the Outdoor Spaces Fund, with individual awards ranging from £500 to £3,000. Already the Fund has awarded more than £14,000 to grassroots groups across Northern Ireland. As well as helping community groups transform their local areas, the funding aims to enhance access to shared outdoor spaces for marginalised and vulnerable groups, and combat loneliness. Since 2022, the Asda Foundation has donated more than £2.5 million to worthy causes.
