Australia's suicide rate could surge due to economic fallout of coronavirus

Australia’s suicide rate could surge by up to 50 per cent as the mental health impacts of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic take hold. 

Modelling from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre has forecast the financial and psychological toll could result in an extra 750 to 1,500 suicides a year, with fears Indigenous and multicultural communities are among those at greatest risk.

Mental health services have already experienced increased demand due to the pressures of coronavirus shutdowns with predictions the strain will be felt well beyond the pandemic.