12-month suicidality and self-harm prevalence Print this page

About these maps

These maps visualise synthetic estimates of 12-month prevalence of suicidality and self-harm (for 2019) among 12 to 17-year-olds. Twelve-month prevalence refers to the prevalence of having experienced suicidality and self-harm at some point during the preceding twelve-month period. Each of the study suicidality and self-harm outcomes are visualised within a separate map.

Interpreting these maps

For these maps, variation in synthetic estimates has been visualised using percentiles. For example, those areas with the darkest colouring fall within the >90th percentile group, meaning that the 12-month prevalence of suicidality and self-harm was higher in those areas than 90% of all other areas in Australia. 

Synthetic estimates are available in these maps at SA3, SA4 and PHN areas. 

Darker colouring indicates that an area has a higher estimated prevalence of suicidality and self-harm, while lighter colouring indicates lower estimated prevalence. Grey colouring indicates that an estimate was not generated for that area due to insufficient data. This is mostly areas where few or no people live. 

The data can be viewed at different geographies using the ‘Geographic View’ or the ‘Zoom View’. More detailed instructions on using the ‘Geographic View’ are included below.

These maps show

• Large variability across the country for self-harm (regardless of intent), non-suicidal self-harm, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation/plan, and suicidality. 
• The Northern Territory had the highest prevalence of self-harm (regardless of intent). 
• A possible trend towards increasing prevalence with increasing remoteness. However, a sparsity of Young Minds Matter (YMM) survey data for more remote areas meant that estimates for some more remote areas were not able to be generated. As such, the possible relationship between the suicidality and self-harm prevalence and remoteness cannot be fully assessed.