Thirteen young Victorians have killed themselves in the first three months of 2023, with the state’s coroner saying the community needs to do more to intervene.
In figures released by the coroners court on Wednesday, nine of the 13 deaths were males and four were females between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.
There were between two and six deaths for the same three-month period in the four years previous.
The total number of suicides for the age group in the four years prior ranged between 15 to 23.
Judge John Cain said the impact of a young person’s suicide on their friends, family and wider community was profound and far-reaching.
“The deaths of these young people by suicide in Victoria in just three months is of great concern,” he said in a statement.
“The health and wellbeing of young Victorians is a community responsibility. While we work with state and federal government to provide data that informs targeted suicide prevention programs, I urge parents and friends to help our young people stay connected and supported.”
Coronial investigations into the 13 deaths are in the early stages.
The deaths happened in diverse circumstances across the state with no clear links.
Cain said another possible three suicides of young people have already been reported in April, taking the total to 16.
“Which is in excess of what we would usually see for the whole year in other years. That’s a shocking figure,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
after newsletter promotion
The coroner is concerned about how youth suicide is talked about it in the community, particularly silence around methods.
“Family and parents are coming along and saying ‘I didn’t see the signs. I didn’t know what was going on.’ Part of that has to be they didn’t know what they were looking for,” Cain said.
The mental health minister, Gabrielle Williams, said the numbers were very high but wouldn’t speculate on what was behind the increase.
“Most of these cases will still be subject to coronial inquest, and each of those cases will have their own story,” she told reporters at St Vincent’s hospital’s mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment hub.
“What I can say unequivocally is that we are committed firmly to our agenda of reform of the mental health system and that obviously includes as part of it the delivery of a suicide strategy which is due later towards the end of this year.”
