A Growing Crisis: Young Australians Faced with Increasing Mental Health Challenges
The mental health of young Australians is under siege, with Generation Z facing alarming rates of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and attempts. According to a landmark study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 14,753 respondents aged 16-25 exhibited higher hazards for youth suicidal ideation, planning, self-harm, and suicide attempts than their predecessors.
The research, led by Dr Katrina Witt from the University of Melbourne and Orygen, has shed light on the growing mental health crisis affecting young Australians. The study found that witnessing parental violence, exposure to suicidal peers or online content, and economic insecurity were significant predictors of self-harm and suicide attempts among Gen Z.
In stark contrast, older generations faced different risk factors, including childhood sexual abuse, substance use disorders, and untreated mental illness. However, the association with mental health was weaker for Gen Z, making it essential to consider policy responses outside traditional healthcare settings.
The study's findings are echoed by data from Kids Helpline, which revealed a 25% increase in suicidal thoughts among 10-year-olds who contacted the service between 2012 and 2025. In 2025, 11% of these young children reported concerns related to suicide, with the youngest child to receive support concerning a suicide attempt being just six years old.
Experts warn that early intervention is critical to address this growing crisis. Dr Witt emphasized the need for programs in schools and communities that reach young people before the onset of suicidal thinking develops. "We need resources to help recognise and respond to distress, and to support parents and reduce conflict within the home," she said.
The Australian government must take immediate action to address this growing mental health crisis affecting Gen Z. Investing in prevention strategies, such as safe online and offline spaces, and supporting programs that reach young people before they become vulnerable, is crucial to mitigating the impact of these alarming trends.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, please reach out to a trusted adult, mental health professional, or call one of the following crisis hotlines:
* Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14
* Kids Helpline (Australia): 1800 55 1800
* Samaritans (UK and Ireland): freephone 116 123
* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US): 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org
The mental health of young Australians is under siege, with Generation Z facing alarming rates of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and attempts. According to a landmark study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 14,753 respondents aged 16-25 exhibited higher hazards for youth suicidal ideation, planning, self-harm, and suicide attempts than their predecessors.
The research, led by Dr Katrina Witt from the University of Melbourne and Orygen, has shed light on the growing mental health crisis affecting young Australians. The study found that witnessing parental violence, exposure to suicidal peers or online content, and economic insecurity were significant predictors of self-harm and suicide attempts among Gen Z.
In stark contrast, older generations faced different risk factors, including childhood sexual abuse, substance use disorders, and untreated mental illness. However, the association with mental health was weaker for Gen Z, making it essential to consider policy responses outside traditional healthcare settings.
The study's findings are echoed by data from Kids Helpline, which revealed a 25% increase in suicidal thoughts among 10-year-olds who contacted the service between 2012 and 2025. In 2025, 11% of these young children reported concerns related to suicide, with the youngest child to receive support concerning a suicide attempt being just six years old.
Experts warn that early intervention is critical to address this growing crisis. Dr Witt emphasized the need for programs in schools and communities that reach young people before the onset of suicidal thinking develops. "We need resources to help recognise and respond to distress, and to support parents and reduce conflict within the home," she said.
The Australian government must take immediate action to address this growing mental health crisis affecting Gen Z. Investing in prevention strategies, such as safe online and offline spaces, and supporting programs that reach young people before they become vulnerable, is crucial to mitigating the impact of these alarming trends.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, please reach out to a trusted adult, mental health professional, or call one of the following crisis hotlines:
* Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14
* Kids Helpline (Australia): 1800 55 1800
* Samaritans (UK and Ireland): freephone 116 123
* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US): 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org
they're facing so much stress & pressure, like literally the whole world is on their shoulders rn 
and it's all because of our online culture, social media is like a never-ending highlight reel of everyone else's perfect life, making us feel like we dont measure up 
& i think we need to start taking care of each other more, like having real conversations, being supportive & not just posting vibes 
It's like, we know how vulnerable they are when it comes to FOMO and peer pressure, but at the same time, we're letting them be constantly bombarded with negativity and hate. We need safe spaces for them to express themselves without fear of judgment or bullying.
I mean, we can't just tell Gen Z to "work hard" and expect them not to struggle. The reality is that many young people are already living paycheck-to-paycheck due to rising costs of living. We need to address the systemic issues that's driving this mental health crisis, not just throw band-aids at it. 
. investing in programs that reach out to them before things get bad is a must 
. and can we pls make sure our online spaces are safe for them too? no more cyberbullying or stuff like that 
. it's time for us to be more proactive about mental health, especially when it comes to kids 
.
This is a super worrying trend that needs to be addressed ASAP. I think one of the main reasons why young Aussies are struggling so much with mental health is because of social media 
. I mean, they're constantly exposed to curated and manipulated content that can make them feel inadequate or insecure about themselves. And let's not forget about online bullies who can be super toxic 
.
. We also need to make sure our communities are supportive and safe spaces for young people to talk about their feelings and struggles.
. We need to provide resources and support for kids and teens, including online spaces where they can talk openly about their struggles.
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. Dr Witt's words are so true, we do need programs that reach young people before they become vulnerable 
. Its time for us to listen to the experts & take action! 
It's like, no thanks, that's not how you solve problems. We need to get back to basics and teach these kids some real coping skills, like mindfulness or something 
. And what's with all these online spaces being created specifically for them? That just seems like a recipe for disaster 
. I think the government needs to step up their game and invest in programs that actually help young people develop emotional resilience, not just throw some money at hotlines 
.
. Investing in programs that reach young people before they become vulnerable is crucial 
.
. what's even more alarming is that only 14% of these cases were linked to childhood trauma, whereas older generations had way more risk factors tied to mental health issues 
Are we just projecting our problems onto each other or something more sinister is at play? 
schools and communities need to step up and provide resources for kids who are struggling 
before the suicidal thinking develops 
.
. We can start by having open conversations with our kids (and ourselves!) about mental health, reducing stigma around seeking help, and supporting programs that get them involved in their communities 
. We owe it to them – they're the future, after all 
!
We need to do something ASAP, but I'm not sure if we're doing enough. Like, how can we make schools and communities safe spaces for these kids before things get too dark? 
. We can't just ignore this issue or hope that someone else will fix it 
. The government needs to invest in prevention strategies like safe online spaces, community programs, and supporting parents who are struggling too 
. And if you're feeling down or suicidal, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of those crisis hotlines 
. You are not alone 
meanwhile, kids as young as 6 are reporting suicidal thoughts... we need real solutions, not just feel-good buzzwords 
I'm not surprised to hear that mental health crisis among young Aussies is getting worse. It's like they're getting hit with a ton of stressors - economic insecurity, seeing family violence, and even online content that can be super toxic