MJA: Eckersley, Box

A Western Australian study of 2737 children aged 4-16 found that in the six months prior to the survey 21% of 12- to 16-year-olds had had a mental health problem. Twelve per cent of those aged 12-14 had had suicidal thoughts and the proportion rose to 24% for those aged 15-16. Eight per cent of those aged 12-16 had deliberately tried to harm or kill themselves.⁹
In a South Australian study of 307 students aged 13-17, 49% reported ever having had suicidal thoughts; 14% had planned a suicide attempt without carrying it out and 9% had attempted suicide.¹⁰
In a Queensland study of 1678 university undergraduates (average age about 22), 62% reported varying degrees of suicidal thoughts or behaviour in the previous year, including 15% of the total sample who had told someone they wanted to kill themselves or had come close to taking their own lives, and 7% who had attempted suicide.¹¹
A national survey of 8350 16- to 24-year-olds found 15% had had moderate or severe psychological distress, and another 19% mild distress (measured by the General Health Questionnaire).¹²