Last year, 3307 lives were lost to suicide across the country, with 755 recorded in Victoria, which had a statewide rate of 10.5 people in 100,000 who took their own life.
Men were overrepresented in the total national figure, making up three-quarters of recorded deaths, and forming the majority of deaths in regional areas.
Inner regional Australia, of which a large part of Campaspe Shire is classified as, had an age-standardised suicide rate of 15.6 persons per 100,000.
Lifeline Loddon Mallee chief executive Lisa Renato said the rate in the Murray PHN area was also above the national average.
“These numbers reflect what we hear every day: crises of any kind can lead to relationship stress, financial strain, housing insecurity, and family breakdown,” she said.
“In rural towns, loneliness and isolation weigh heavily, and burnout among those carrying multiple roles is real.”
Ms Renato said the data showed an urgent need for services to respond to the complex factors that contribute to suicide, and to adapt verified approaches to meet the needs of individuals and communities.
Lifeline Loddon Mallee offers 24/7 crisis support, disaster recovery, critical incident responses, in-person and telehealth counselling, and Employee Assistance Program services.
Training programs to assist someone in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide are also available.
To turn the numbers around, Ms Renato called for more mental health professionals and peer workers in the region, and sustained funding for community-led initiatives.
“This is not just Lifeline’s work — it’s all of us. Every conversation, every act of care matters,” she said.
“Behind every statistic there is a person, and we remember the people who died by suicide, those who attempted to take their own life, and those who care for people living with suicidality.”
• If you or someone you know is suicidal, contact Beyond Blue by phoning 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 131 114 for support, or 000 in an emergency.
• For Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander peoples, connect with 13YARN on 139 276 (24/7) to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter.
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