One piece of slightly positive news has emerged just before Christmas with figures showing the number of lives lost to suicide had decreased over the year 2020.
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There was a 5 per cent decrease in the number of suicides between November 2019 and November 2020, NSW Government data showed - 807 lives lost compared with 853.
While no-one would celebrate the loss of more than 800 lives, there had been fears the number would soar during the pandemic.
Lifeline Australia chairman John Brogden said this was the most significant reduction in lives lost to suicide in 10 years.
"These are the most remarkable figures of the COVID- 19 pandemic," he said. "This is a moment to celebrate life.
"Hundreds of thousands of Australians have reached out for help to Lifeline and other mental health services and got the help they needed when they needed it and stopped short of suicide.
"I hope this is a turning point for mental health in Australia. People in need of help have been brave enough to get it during one of the most difficult times in memory."
Lifeline said its calls had increased by 20 per cent over the year, after the devastating bushfires last summer were followed by the isolation brought on by COVID-19.
Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one this year.
"A very important message is that people should keep calling Lifeline and keep getting help so we see these numbers continue to fall. We also need to encourage Australians to keep connecting with each other especially over the holiday period. If you think someone may be struggling, please continue to reach out to them to offer support."
Member for Keira and shadow health minister Ryan Park warned the psychological strain of the pandemic was not over.
"Any fall in the suicide rate is positive but I remain very concerned as to the mental health of people especially once some of the Government assistance that is in place to support families and individuals is removed next year.
"Governments at all levels have a responsibility to make sure our mental health services are adequately funded and that people experiencing difficulty have the assistance available to deal with it.
"Whilst we have been relatively luck in terms of the health impacts of COVID-19 we are a long away from overcoming the psychological strain that it has placed many people under and the funding of support services will need to be an important priority going forward."
- If you or someone you know is struggling, call Lifeline on 131114.