Gen Z Australians are attempting suicide and self-harming more than previous generations, study finds

A New Generation in Crisis: Australia's Young People Struggle with Mental Health

Australia's Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, with a growing number of young people attempting suicide, self-harming, and experiencing suicidal thoughts. A landmark study has found that this generation is more likely to struggle with mental health issues than previous generations, with younger children as young as six seeking help.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne and Orygen, analyzed data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing between 2020-2022. The findings are alarming, with Gen Z facing pressures that are both different from and more acute than those experienced by previous generations.

Witnessing parental violence, being exposed to suicide among peers or online, and mental illness in childhood have been identified as key risk factors for self-harm and suicide attempts among young people. However, the study also highlights the importance of considering policy responses outside of traditional health settings, given that the association between mental ill health and suicide is less strong than in previous generations.

"We need to consider a broader strategy to address the issues affecting this generation," says Dr Katrina Witt, lead researcher on the study. "We need programs in schools and communities that reach young people where they live and learn, before the onset of suicidal thinking develops."

The statistics are staggering. 20.2% of Gen Z respondents reported having suicidal thoughts, while 9.2% had made a plan, 20.4% had self-harmed, and 6% had attempted suicide. In contrast, older generations experienced more risk factors such as childhood sexual abuse, substance use disorders, and long periods of untreated mental illness.

The study's findings are echoed in Kids Helpline data, which shows that younger children are increasingly seeking help for suicidal concerns. In 2012, just 3% of 11-year-olds discussed suicidality with the service, while by 2025 this number had risen to 15%. Even more alarming is the fact that six-year-old children have been reported to contact Kids Helpline regarding a suicide attempt.

"These are not just numbers - these are children trying to survive overwhelming pain," says Tracy Adams, CEO of Yourtown and manager of Kids Helpline. "We need resources to support parents and reduce conflict within the home, as well as safe online and offline spaces for young people to access help."

As Australia grapples with the crisis affecting its young people, experts are calling for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional health settings. With Gen Z facing unique challenges in a rapidly changing world, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address their mental health needs.

I think it's a bit overblown , I mean, young people are always going to struggle with stuff, and now they're just getting more attention . Maybe instead of trying to fix everything, we should just give 'em some space and let them figure it out for themselves . I know it sounds harsh, but honestly, all these programs and initiatives can be kinda patronizing . What's next? Mandatory mental health lessons in school? Or a national "be happy" day? Come on, can't they just work it out like we did back in the day ?

omg this is so sad i mean i thought australia was like a happy country but apparently they got some major issues with mental health too i'm not surprised tho, all my friends are always talking about how hard it is to deal with social media and stuff what's the point of having 100k followers if you're just gonna feel bad about yourself i think they need more programs in schools to help kids cope with their feelings like what if they had counseling sessions every day or something? that would be so helpful

I mean, what's up with this generation? They're practically begging for help with these suicidal thoughts and self-harming tendencies... like they're not even trying anymore . And all because of the pressures of social media and online exposure . What a cop-out. Just more excuses for parents to avoid doing their job and raising responsible kids .

And don't even get me started on these new " programs in schools and communities" ... like that's going to fix everything. It's all just band-aids on bullet wounds at this point . They need actual support, not just a bunch of feel-good initiatives .

And the stats are just insane . 20.2% of Gen Z respondents reporting suicidal thoughts? That's not a crisis, that's just... normal now . And what's with all these kids contacting Kids Helpline at such a young age? Six-year-olds trying to survive overwhelming pain? Give me a break .

We need real solutions here, not just more hot air from the experts . When are we going to take actual responsibility for our youth's mental health instead of just talking about it?

man this is really sad ... it's like they're stuck between being kids and dealing with all these heavy stuff and the stats are just insane 20% of gen z reporting suicidal thoughts is just crazy and what's even worse is that younger kids are seeking help for suicide concerns at such a young age like 6 yrs old? it's like they're already feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders we need to do something about this ASAP

I'm so worried about all these young Aussies struggling with mental health issues... like me too, back in the day . I remember trying to deal with stress and anxiety in school, but I didn't know where to turn or how to talk about it. It's heartbreaking that some of them are turning to self-harm and suicidal thoughts as a way out.

I think Dr Katrina Witt is right on the money when she says we need programs in schools and communities that can reach young people before things get serious. We should be supporting parents too, 'cause you know, family life can be super tough for kids. And online safety? it's like, such a big deal now .

I'm not sure what the solution is yet, but we gotta keep talking about this and work together to make things better. These stats are crazy, 15% of 11-year-olds calling Kids Helpline in 2025... that's just wild . We need more resources for mental health support, stat!

I'm so sorry to hear this... 20% of gen z kids are thinking about suicide? That's just heartbreaking. It's like, what can we do differently to help them? I mean, we need more than just schools and programs... we need a support system for families too, you know? Like, resources for parents who are struggling with their own mental health so they can be there for their kids. And online safety is everything now... kids are exposed to so much negativity and it's affecting them so deeply. We need to create safe spaces for them to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment. This is just not right, you know?

I think the gov's focus on schools and communities is way too little, way too late . They should be doing so much more, like implementing mandatory mental health programs for every child from kindergarten to high school and making it a national priority. We can't just rely on parents and communities to make a difference when the pressures they're facing are so overwhelming. And what's with all this talk about 'reach young people where they live and learn'? That's just code for 'throw more cash at the problem'. We need systemic change, not just Band-Aid solutions

This is super concerning , Australia's youth are going through so much and nobody seems to be doing enough about it . I mean, 20.2% of Gen Z respondents reporting suicidal thoughts? That's bloody alarming . And what's with the stats from Kids Helpline showing younger kids seeking help for suicidal concerns? It's like we're living in a nightmare .

We need to get creative here . Dr Katrina Witt is right on the money, we need programs in schools and communities that reach young people where they live and learn. We need to address these issues before they become problems . And what about online spaces? I mean, our kids are growing up with social media and the internet at their fingertips. We need to make sure those platforms are safe for them .

It's not just about throwing money at a problem or setting up more helplines . It's about having a comprehensive strategy that tackles these issues head-on . And we need it now . I'm all for urgent action here . Let's get to it!

I feel so sad when I read about the struggles of Australia's Gen Z. They're already dealing with so much pressure and stress, and now they're struggling with mental health issues too. It's like they're drowning in a sea of problems and don't know how to stay afloat.

I think it's so important that we need programs in schools and communities that reach young people where they live and learn, as Dr Katrina Witt mentioned. We need to talk to them about their feelings and help them find healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

It's also really concerning that younger children are seeking help for suicidal concerns at such a young age. Like, six-year-olds shouldn't have to be dealing with this stuff! We need to make sure we're supporting our parents and creating safe spaces for kids to talk about their feelings.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but I know it can't just be one thing. We need a comprehensive approach that involves schools, communities, parents, and healthcare providers all working together. Let's do something to help these amazing young people!

This study is super concerning, imo. I think we're being too soft on our youth by not addressing the elephant in the room - technology . Social media's been shown to have a major impact on mental health, and I'm convinced it's a big contributor to these rising rates of self-harm and suicidal thoughts among Gen Z.

We need to talk about online safety and responsible social media use from a young age. Schools should be incorporating digital literacy into their curricula, teaching kids how to navigate the internet in a healthy way. It's not just about blocking apps or limiting screen time; it's about creating a culture of respect and empathy online .

Another thing that bothers me is how we're failing our parents . We need to support families with resources and programs to help them deal with conflict and emotional expression in a healthy way. This isn't just about kids' mental health; it's about building strong, supportive communities from the ground up .

Lastly, I think we need to rethink our approach to mental health care . We're so focused on providing immediate treatment for those who are struggling that we're not addressing the root causes of these issues. We need to invest in prevention programs and initiatives that promote mental wellness from an early age .

It's time to get real about this crisis, Australia . We can't just keep sweeping it under the rug or expecting everything to magically improve on its own .

omg like I'm so sorry to hear about this... 20% of gen z kids having suicidal thoughts?! that's like, super worrying... and the fact that they're trying online too is just crazy i feel like we need some sort of support group or something for teens to talk about their feelings without feeling judged or anything... it seems like they have no one to turn to?

omg like can't even believe what's going on with aussie youth rn the stats are wild 20.2% of gen z have suicidal thoughts and 6% have tried to kill themselves?! that's insane! and it's not just online stuff, witnessing parental violence is a major risk factor too we need more support in schools and communities, like dr witt said programs that reach young people where they live and learn before suicidal thoughts develop. this gen z is facing so many pressures and it's taking a toll on their mental health but there's hope, like tracy adams says, we need resources for parents to reduce conflict at home and safe online spaces for them to get help gotta do something about this crisis ASAP

I'm getting really worried about this new gen ... I mean, I remember when I was a teenager and the biggest stress was just trying to get into college and figure out my career path. Now, I see these kids struggling with suicidal thoughts and self-harm at such a young age... it's heartbreaking . And it's not just the online stuff that's causing problems, it's witnessing violence in their homes or seeing friends struggle with mental health issues too. It feels like they're being set up for failure .

And what really gets me is how much more severe this generation's struggles are compared to older kids. I know from my own experiences that even if you had some tough times, things could get better as you got older... but these young people seem to be facing almost insurmountable obstacles . We need to start thinking outside the box and supporting them in different ways - maybe more community programs or counseling services in schools? Something needs to change ASAP

omg 20.2% of gen z ppl r strugglin w suicidal thoughts thats insane! i remember when i was in high school (2008-2012) we didnt have all these issues like online bullin & social media pressure. now it feels like the whole world is against them. kids as young as 6 tryin to deal w their emotions? whats goin on?! we need more programs in schools & communities that focus on mental health & wellbeing, not just throwin pills at people. it's time for a change!

man this is wild 20% of gen z having suicidal thoughts is straight up crazy what's going on with these kids they're trying to navigate the world and social media and relationships and school and everything else and it's just too much for them we need to step up our game and provide more resources for kids like this who are struggling to cope with all that pressure we can't just leave them to figure it out on their own they need help and support and guidance from people who care

this is so sad, like 20.2% of gen z having suicidal thoughts?! what's going on australia? and omg six year olds trying to contact kids helpline for a suicide attempt that's just not right. we need more programs in schools & communities that reach young people before they even think about harming themselves. and idk why but i feel like the parents need some help too, all that parental violence stuff is super scary anyway, this study is highlighting how important it is to have a broader strategy for mental health. we can't just rely on hospitals & health services

I think its really worrying how much pressure Aussie teens are under right now. I mean, witnessing violence at home or online, seeing friends kill themselves... thats not something you can just brush off, you know? They need help and support from parents, schools, and communities. Its not just about throwing more money at mental health services, we need to think about how we can create a society where kids feel safe to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions.

And yeah, 6-year-olds trying to contact helplines because they're having suicidal thoughts is absolutely shocking... what are we doing wrong as a society? We need to do better, for them and for the future.

the numbers r wild but what if these stats r skewed by our culture of oversharing on socials? like we're more likely 2 admit our struggles online because its "safe" but in reality its just a cry for help from ppl who feel they cant talk 2 anyone else. and whats with all the focus on kids as young as 6? what happened 2 these parents? didnt they teach their kids how 2 handle emotions or did we just assume theyd figure it out themselves?

man this gen z stuff is getting out of hand they're literally growing up with the weight of the world on their shoulders and no one's doing anything about it 20% having suicidal thoughts? that's wild. i mean what's going to stop them, right? some generic school program or a helpline phone number aren't gonna cut it when you're talking about kids who've seen their parents fight or are exposed to all this crap online... it's like they're just trying to survive. and don't even get me started on the parents, they're just as bad. i mean what kind of parent lets a 6-year-old call them saying they tried to kill themselves? that's not parenting, that's just enabling we need some real solutions here, not just Band-Aids