Suicide is the leading cause of premature death for people in the Australian immigration detention network
In May this year, the Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman released a long-awaited report into suicide and self-harm across the Australian immigration detention network.1 All available evidence points to the conclusion that suicide is the leading cause of premature death for detainees across the network. Between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2012, there were 11 deaths in immigration detention. Five are confirmed suicides.2,3
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- 1. Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman. Suicide and self-harm in the immigration detention network. Canberra: Commonwealth Ombudsman, 2013. http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/files/suicide_and_self-harm_in_the_immigration_detention_network.pdf (accessed Jun 2013).
- 2. Queensland Courts, Office of the State Coroner. Findings of inquest. File No. 2011/942. 27 May 2013. http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/184247/cif-hussain-m-20130527.pdf (accessed Aug 2013).
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Nicholas Procter has received grant funding and sitting fees from the Department of Health and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. He is a member of the Immigration Detention Health Advisory Group (Mental Health Subgroup) and former member of the Minister’s Council on Asylum Seekers and Detention. Diego De Leo has received grant funding and sitting fees from the Department of Health. He is a member of the Australian Suicide Prevention Advisory Council. Louise Newman has received sitting fees from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and is a member of the Immigration Health Advisory Group. Nicholas Procter, Diego De Leo and Louise Newman are all former members of the Steering Committee for the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Own Motion Investigation into Suicide and Self-harm.