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Mapping Adolescent Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behaviours Across Eastern Australia
Ryan Baldwin1,2,3, Glenn Melvin4, Michael McGrath5,6,7
1Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia. ryan.baldwin@monash.edu.
Journal of Community Health
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Ambulance attendances for adolescent suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors are rising in Australia. Regional and lower socioeconomic areas are disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for accessible mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Geographic Epidemiology
Background:
- Adolescent suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors show a concerning increase in Australia over two decades.
- Existing research often focuses on adults, suicides, or pre-COVID-19 data, lacking current geographic insights into adolescent self-harm.
- Geographic distribution of adolescent ambulance attendances for suicidal and NSSI behaviors requires updated mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and describe the geographic regions experiencing ambulance attendances for adolescent suicidal and NSSI behaviors.
- To analyze recent (2021-2023) ambulance attendance data across local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
- To identify disparities in the geographic distribution of these critical mental health service demands.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Ambulance Surveillance System for adolescents (12-17 years).
- Analyzed three-year averages and per capita rates of ambulance attendances from 2021 to 2023.
- Compared rates across different LGAs, considering factors like socioeconomic status (SES) and urban/regional classifications.
Main Results:
- Significant variability in ambulance attendances for adolescent suicidal and NSSI behaviors was observed across New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
- Higher rates were found in regional and lower socioeconomic status LGAs, contrasting with Major Cities and high SES areas.
- Nearly 90% of attendances necessitated hospital transport, with over 50% occurring outside standard service hours.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent suicidal and NSSI behaviors requiring ambulance attendance are disproportionately impacting regional and lower SES areas in eastern Australia.
- There is a critical need for accessible, after-hours mental health services to address the rising demand and reduce reliance on emergency care.
- Targeted, data-informed interventions are essential to improve adolescent mental health outcomes and mitigate the current crisis.
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