Taking a 30-year view, rates of suicide have remained fairly stable, with rates higher among males than females. However, as this chart shows, there's been a small but steady increase in suicide rates for both genders in the last decade.

Suicidal thoughts can be a silent struggle as this Childline caller describes. “For the past few months, I’ve been feeling lonely and like I’m nothing. Most recently I’ve had really dark thoughts about suicide. I’ve been self-harming as a distraction as wherever I go it’s always on mind…I act as happy when I’m around my mum – she seems to think I’m fine but I’m really dying inside. I feel like nobody understands and I don’t know who to tell. I’m worried they'll laugh and won’t believe me or say, ‘You out of all people can’t be feeling that!’.”¹

This caller's plight highlights the urgency of creating safe spaces and support systems where young people can openly discuss their mental health challenges without fear of judgment or dismissal.