Lyla Lindsey
In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 44, with over 3000 suicides recorded in 2018. Certain professions, such as farming, construction, and mining, have been associated with higher rates of suicide. Other occupations that have been identified as having an elevated risk of suicide include emergency services personnel, entertainers, artists, transport workers, medical professionals, and veterinarians. Various factors, including job stress, work-related access to lethal means, and socioeconomic status, may contribute to the increased risk of suicide in specific professions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Profession with the highest rate of suicidal death in Australia | Veterinarians, Medical Doctors, Farmers, Construction Workers, Firefighters, Paramedics, Correctional Officers, Entertainers, Artists, Transport Workers, Female Doctors, Male Nurses, Miners |
| Risk Factors | Access to lethal means, self-poisoning, relationship problems, occupational gender norms, anxiety, stigma, job stress, low educational attainment, low socioeconomic status, work-related access to lethal means, poor supervisory and colleague support, low job control, job insecurity |
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What You'll Learn
Farmers, construction workers, and emergency service personnel
Farmers
Farmers have been found to be at a high risk of suicide in Queensland, with rates more than twice those in NSW. Even in NSW, farmers show an elevated risk compared to the general population. International evidence also supports this, with agricultural workers and farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers showing high suicide rates. This is often attributed to their increased access to lethal means, such as pharmaceuticals or guns.
Construction Workers
Construction workers, especially those in lower-skilled roles, have been found to have significantly higher suicide rates than skilled workers. The risk of suicide among lower-skilled construction workers is almost double that of other occupations. This includes construction labourers, construction managers, and road construction workers.
Emergency Service Personnel
Emergency service personnel, including firefighters and law enforcement officers, have also been identified as having an increased risk of suicide. While there is a lack of information on suicide risk among firefighters in Australia, international data shows that police and correctional workers have higher suicide rates, with US rates up to 69% higher than the general population.
It is important to note that while these professions have higher rates of suicidal death, the causes of suicide are complex and multifaceted. Workplace prevention strategies and employee wellness programs are crucial to address this issue and provide support for individuals in these high-risk occupations.
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Veterinarians and medical practitioners
Veterinarians
Suicide rates among Australian veterinarians are significantly high, with studies indicating that vets are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to other healthcare professionals and four times more likely than the general population. This equates to a veterinarian taking their own life every 12 weeks in Australia. Research has shown that 60% of vets have sought professional help for their mental health, and nearly 70% have lost a colleague or peer to suicide.
The reasons behind the high suicide rate among veterinarians are multifaceted, encompassing both work-related and personal stressors. The emotional demands of the job, including the constant shift from highs to lows, can be draining. Veterinarians often move from one euthanasia appointment to another with a family's new pet, which can be mentally taxing. Moreover, the risk of claims and litigation in veterinary practice can cause significant mental and workplace stress. Increased access to lethal means is also a contributing factor, with poisoning by injectable drugs being the most common method of suicide among vets.
To address these issues, there has been a call for targeted suicide prevention and intervention initiatives for veterinarians. Dr. Peter Hatch, a professional counsellor and secretary of Vet Life Australia, emphasizes the need to go beyond suicide awareness and address the underlying mental health issues. He suggests that enhancing personal cognitive and coping skills among veterinary students and creating a supportive workplace environment could lead to improved mental health and increased job satisfaction.
Medical Practitioners
Female medical doctors in Australia are more likely to commit suicide than their male colleagues, with self-poisoning being the most common method. Overall, doctors suicide at rates higher than the general population, with female doctors taking their lives 2.27 times more often than the norm, and male doctors at a rate of 1.41 times. Perfectionism, inherent in the traits of many doctors, can contribute to distress, anxiety, and depression, which are risk factors for suicidal behaviour.
The stigma associated with mental health issues in the medical profession creates barriers to affected doctors accessing help. Fear of showing weakness, lack of time, and concerns about being reported to medical authorities deter many doctors from seeking support. To mitigate these risks, there is a growing emphasis on building resilience among doctors and promoting activities that support their mental health.
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Firefighters and paramedics
Firefighters
Firefighters are first responders who often deal with dangerous and traumatic situations, including fires, car accidents, homicides, suicides, and cardiac arrests. The inherent danger of firefighting puts them at an increased risk of both physical and mental health issues. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation estimates that there are between 100 and 200 firefighter deaths by suicide each year in the United States, which is double the rate of the general population.
The job of a firefighter comes with unique stressors, including rotating schedules, lack of sleep, inadequate training, technical problems, difficult colleagues, inconsistent policies, and poor leadership. The culture of the fire service can also inhibit members from seeking help for mental health issues, as they may fear repercussions or suspension. Additionally, the toxins released during fires and the inhalation of smoke can contribute to the physical health risks and overall mortality rate among firefighters.
Paramedics
Paramedics, like firefighters, work in high-stress environments and are often exposed to traumatic incidents. While there is limited research specifically on paramedic suicide rates, sleep has been identified as one of the most important areas of wellbeing for paramedics. Dr. Alex Wolkow from MICCN is conducting a long-term study on the sleep patterns of paramedics, aiming to understand the role of sleep in their overall health and wellbeing. This research is being done in collaboration with Ambulance Victoria and the Monash Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, with the goal of improving the health of paramedics and other emergency services personnel.
While the specific statistics on paramedic suicide rates in Australia may be scarce, the high-stress nature of both paramedic and firefighter professions suggests that these individuals may be at an increased risk for mental health issues and suicidal ideation. More research and targeted interventions are needed to support the wellbeing of these vital members of our community.
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Police and correctional officers
The exact number of suicides among police and correctional officers in Australia is unclear due to the absence of systematic and comprehensive data collection. However, a report by First HELP, an organization that tracks first responder suicides, and the CNA Corporation, a nonpartisan research organization, found that more than 1,200 law enforcement and correctional officers died by suicide between 2016 and 2022, averaging 184 suicides per year.
The mental health challenges faced by police and correctional officers are significant. In a survey of 2,232 law enforcement officers, approximately one-fourth encountered moderate health challenges, and 6% grappled with severe health issues. Another study involving 3,994 officers found that 44% experienced psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety, within the previous four weeks, with nearly a quarter experiencing moderate to severe distress.
Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the most prevalent mental health challenges among officers who died by suicide, affecting 34% and 27%, respectively. Overall, 46% experienced mental health issues, including depression, PTSD, other mental illnesses, childhood trauma, or grief. Despite this, only 23% sought help, with 17% seeking treatment for PTSD and 7% for other mental health issues. Firearms were used in 82% of suicides, highlighting the importance of addressing unsafe firearm use within this profession.
To address these issues, organizations like CNA are working with public safety agencies to improve member well-being. For instance, CNA partnered with several public safety organizations to provide a webinar on organizational stress, allowing for peer learning and stress reduction strategies. Additionally, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection (LESDC) Act was enacted in 2020 to improve data collection on officer suicides.
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Nurses and midwives
In Australia, nurses and midwives are at a higher risk of suicide compared to other healthcare professionals and occupations. Male nurses and midwives are 196% more likely to commit suicide than their female colleagues, and female nurses and midwives are 192% more likely to commit suicide than women in other occupations. The reasons for these disparities are complex and multifaceted. Contributing factors include the demanding nature of the job, long hours, work-life balance issues, and anxiety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses experienced extremely stressful working conditions and witnessed the deaths of many patients, further exacerbating their risk for poorer mental health.
Nursing professionals, particularly women, are at an increased risk of suicide, with self-poisoning being the most common method. Various factors contribute to this risk, including psychiatric disorders, alcohol and substance misuse, physical health problems, and occupational and interpersonal difficulties. The knowledge of lethality and low rates of seeking help for mental health issues within the nursing profession also play a role in the high suicide rates.
Occupational gender norms and anxiety about perceived stigma may also be risk factors for male nurses and midwives due to the traditionally feminized characterization of these roles. It is crucial for nurses, midwives, and their supporting organizations to recognize the complexity of their work and actively promote their health and cultural well-being to prevent suicide. Creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings can be instrumental in suicide prevention.
While there is a lack of specific research on suicide rates among paramedics, firefighters, and firefighters in Australia, international data indicates an increased risk of suicidality among law enforcement personnel, with correctional officers in Australia showing a higher risk. Farmers, construction workers, emergency services personnel, veterinarians, entertainers, artists, transport workers, and female doctors are also among those with higher suicide risks in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear answer as to which profession has the highest rate of suicidal death in Australia. However, researchers at Monash University found high rates of suicide risk among farmers, construction workers, and veterinarians.
Increased access to lethal means may act as a risk factor for veterinarian suicide, with 80% of cases in Australia involving self-poisoning.
Yes, other occupations with high suicide rates include entertainers, artists, female doctors, male nurses, firefighters, paramedics, machinists, labourers, and mining workers.
