People experiencing significant transition or instability in their lives can be at a higher risk of suicide. This can be due to increased anxiety or stress, disruption to support networks or uncertainty of the future.
These circumstances may include the following.
Health challenges and care needs
- Mental ill health
- Receiving palliative care
- Ineligibility for voluntary assisted dying
- Recent diagnosis of a condition or illness
- Experiencing chronic ill health or pain
- Alcohol and/or other drug use
Life transitions
- Leaving closed settings, including inpatient or custodial settings
- Transitioning from youth to adult health services
- Key stages in education, e.g. starting high school, university or TAFE
- Housing arrangements or intermittent homelessness
- Changes to, or instability of, employment
Social and emotional challenges
- Financial instability or hardship
- Loss of a significant relationship
- Family members, carers, friends or kin providing care to a loved one
- Returned veterans or defence personnel
- Experiences of family and domestic violence, or social isolation and loneliness