Closing the Gap

People enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing

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People enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing

Outcome

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.

Target

Significant and sustained reduction in suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards zero.

Baseline data

Baseline data for the target measure is presented below at a national level, and for each state and territory where available. This will show starting points for each target, by jurisdiction.

Table 14.1: Suicide, standardised death rates (per 100,000 population) for suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 2009-2018(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2009-2013 2014-2018
Male 25.8 33.4 32.0 26.9 33.7 32.8 37.0 36.5 37.5 38.1 30.4 36.4
Female 7.8 8.1 14.0 11.2 12.1 12.4 12.4 11.2 11.2 10.3 10.7 11.6
Persons 16.7 19.9 23.0 18.9 22.7 22.4 24.2 23.5 24.2 24.1 20.2 23.7

Table 14.2: Intentional self harm mortality rates, by select states and territories(c), 2014–2018(f)(g)(h)

Indigenous deaths per 100,000
Period NSW QLD SA WA NT NSW, QLD, SA, WA & NT
2009-13 11.0 20.7 20.4 34.4 29.1 20.2
2011-15 13.6 23.1 25.4 40.8 28.2 23.3
2014-18 17.1 24.0 21.2 37.9 26.2 23.7
Non-Indigenous deaths per 100,000
Period NSW QLD SA WA NT NSW, QLD, SA, WA & NT
2009-13 - - - - - -
2011-15 9.5 13.3 12.4 12.2 13.4 11.3
2014-18 10.5 14.6 12.9 13.1 16.3 12.3

Source

2014-18 and 2011-15 data are from ABS and AIHW analysis of National Mortality Database 2009-13. 2009-13 data is from the ABS Causes of Death publication.

Notes

  1. Standardised death rate. Death rate per 100,000 estimated resident population as at 30 June
  2. The data presented for intentional self-harm includes ICD-10 codes X60-X84 and Y87.0. Care needs to be taken in interpreting figures relating to intentional self-harm. See Explanatory Notes 41 and 91-100 in this publication.
  3. Data are reported by jurisdiction of usual residence for NSW, QLD, WA, SA and the NT only. Data for VIC, TAS and the ACT have been excluded in line with national reporting guidelines.
  4. All causes of death data from 2006 onward are subject to the ABS revisions process. For more inormation, refer to: ABS (2019), Causes of Death 2018, 3303.0, Canberra
  5. 5 yearly averages (2009-13, 2014-18) are considered more reliable; single year estimates are too volatile because of very low numbers. Additionally, earlier years are now considered less reliable due to differences in reporting, Indigenous identification, and revisions to Indigenous population estimates. 
  6. Categories are based on the ICD-10 10th Revision (World Health Organization): Intentional self harm ICD-10 codes X60-X84, Y87.0.
  7. Standardised death rates.
  8. Data presented may be affected by changes over time, based on propensity to identify as Indigenous, and by the high number of deaths where Indigenous status was not stated.

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National Target Trajectory

Scenario analysis

There is no specified trajectory or expected timeline for achieving zero suicide. This is because there is no acceptable rate of suicide – today or at any other time.

The chart below shows a number of indicative reduction trajectories.

  • A 20% reduction
  • A 25% reduction
  • A 50% reduction
  • A 75% reduction

Source

NIAA analysis of ABS Causes of Death data