SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath said the number of people dying from suicide is deeply concerning whatever way you look at it:

For the first time more than 3000 Australians died from suicide

The suicide rate increased from 12.2 to 12.7 per 100,000 Australians

In the last 10 years, rates have never been higher for men aged 15-54 years and men still take their lives at a rate three times that of women

In the last 10 years, rates have never been higher for women aged 45-54 years

Suicide rates are up in QLD, WA, TAS and ACT, they are steady or have increased slightly in VIC, NSW and NT and have only decreased only in SA

For those 690,000 Australians living with complex mental illness the increase risk of suicide is 10-40 times higher than that for the general population.

“While as a nation we have made real advances in reducing stigma around mild to moderate mental health conditions, there is a huge amount of work to be done to help those at the more severe end of the spectrum,” Mr Heath said. “Stigma remains a key barrier for people living with complex mental illness to seek the help they need, thereby preventing suicide. We are seeing examples of people waiting more than ten years before getting a diagnosis because they don’t feel comfortable or supported to openly discuss what they are experiencing.”

A recent international review has shown for people living with schizophrenia, the risk of suicide is 13 times greater than the general population. Those living with bipolar disorder are 17 times more at risk, major depressive disorder 20 times, anorexia 31 times and for Australians with borderline personality disorder, the risk of suicide is 45 times higher.

SANE website – sane.org

SANE Helpline – 1800 187 263

SANE Online Forums – saneforums.org 

NSW Premier Mike Baird has been slammed by many opponents of the greyhound racing ban who rather than hang their heads in shame, have attempted to turn the ban into a political fiasco. 

The Premier took the hard decision to ban an industry so steeped in cruelty that in a civilised society there was no other option. 

It’s not about popularity, it’s not about making money from selling the land, it’s not a war against the ‘battlers’ of society.  The independent inquiry uncovered extensive evidence of horrific animal cruelty and that is something that is undeniable and evidence based, unlike the rhetoric we are hearing from the industry.

There’s no escaping it – the cruelty aspect was rampant.  Up to 40% of pups are killed as they “don’t have the instinct”, up to 70% of greyhounds whelped are deliberately killed for being too slow, 20% of trainers engaging in live baiting, illegal drug use to make the dogs run faster, the discovery of numerous mass graves, and industry cover-ups

This dirty business also involves organised crime, drug cartels and physical threats that were violently levelled at anyone who dared to speak out.

When the enquiry was held many people had stories to tell but they were so intimidated they would not give evidence. Since the ban was announced, death threats have been divvied out left, right and centre. 

The industry experienced a 22% decline in licenced participants from 2008 to 2015, and attendance from 2010 to 2015 fell by 27.5% at TAB tracks, and by 22.7% at non-TAB tracks.  So in terms of job losses, many were already on the cards and with no compensation package in sight.

Humane Society International

Director