Unveiling the Scale of the Crisis: Key Findings from the Orygen Study

A groundbreaking study conducted by Orygen, Australia's leading youth mental health research centre affiliated with the University of Melbourne, has laid bare the extent of suicidal ideation among high school students in Victoria. Released on May 11, 2026, the research evaluated the Multimodal Approach to Preventing Suicide in Schools (MAPSS) program across 21 Melbourne schools, involving 1,966 students. The results are stark: 37 percent of these high school students reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past month alone. Nearly 10 percent were classified as high risk, with almost 15 percent of those at risk having never previously sought help—and in most cases, school wellbeing teams were completely unaware of their struggles.

This figure underscores a pervasive issue within Australian secondary education. Almost a quarter of students know someone who has died by suicide, highlighting how normalized tragedy has become in young lives. Even more concerning, half of the students have taken on the role of supporting peers grappling with suicidal thoughts, yet only 2 percent had received any formal training to handle such situations effectively. These untrained interventions often leave young people burdened and ill-equipped, amplifying the crisis.

The study, published in BMC Paediatrics, emphasizes that suicide remains the leading cause of death for young Australians aged 15-24. Suicidal ideation and related behaviors like self-harm significantly elevate the risk of future attempts, making early detection imperative. Dr. Samuel McKay, Senior Research Fellow at Orygen and lead author, noted, "This tells us how important school settings are for educating young people about suicide, how to respond to suicide concerns, and importantly where to get help if they need it."

Professor Jo Robinson, Head of Suicide Prevention Research at Orygen, added, "Early intervention is so important—and why reaching young people in schools offers a vital opportunity to provide targeted, youth-focused support that can meaningfully reduce suicide risk." These insights from university-led research highlight the urgent need for systemic change in how Australian schools address youth mental health.

The MAPSS Program: A Comprehensive Multimodal Strategy

The MAPSS program represents a pioneering effort in youth suicide prevention, combining three evidence-based components: suicide alertness training for students and staff, systematic screening for suicidal ideation, and an online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention. Delivered in a targeted manner to students, teachers, and school staff, it proved effective in enhancing knowledge and skills while identifying hidden risks.

Systematic screening was particularly revelatory, uncovering students who might otherwise slip through cracks. Brief universal training boosted students' confidence in responding to peers in crisis, fostering a culture of proactive support. This integrated approach not only improved intervention capabilities but also demonstrated that schools can serve as powerful hubs for mental health promotion without overwhelming existing resources.

Unlike standalone initiatives, MAPSS's multimodal design addresses multiple touchpoints—prevention, detection, and response—making it scalable for broader implementation across Australian high schools. The evaluation marks one of the largest school-based suicide prevention trials in the country, providing robust data for policymakers.

Demographics and Hidden Risks: Who Is Most Vulnerable?

While the study focused on Victorian high school students, its findings resonate nationally. High schoolers aged 12-18 face unique pressures, including academic demands, social dynamics, and developmental changes. The research revealed no prior help-seeking among 15 percent of at-risk youth, pointing to barriers like stigma, lack of awareness, or distrust in adult systems.

Vulnerable groups include those from regional areas, LGBTQ+ students, and Indigenous youth, who experience disproportionately higher rates. Nationally, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports suicide rates for 15-19-year-olds at around 10 per 100,000, but ideation affects far more—up to 30 percent lifetime prevalence in some surveys. Post-COVID, these figures have surged, with Gen Z reporting four times higher suicidal thoughts than previous generations, per earlier Orygen data.

• 37% past-month suicidal ideation
• 10% high risk
• 25% know a suicide victim
• 50% peer support without training

Such statistics demand nuanced responses tailored to adolescents' lived realities.

The Peer Support Paradox: Untrained Youth as First Responders

One of the study's most poignant revelations is the peer support paradox: half of high school students have comforted friends with suicidal thoughts, yet formal training is virtually absent. This places immense emotional labor on youth, who often feel helpless or resort to risky advice.

In schools, where peers spend more time than with family or counselors, this informal network is inevitable. However, without guidance, it can exacerbate isolation. MAPSS training addressed this by equipping students with skills to recognize warning signs—like withdrawal, mood swings, or giving away possessions—and direct peers to Lifeline or school services. For universities, this underscores the need for peer support programs in higher education, bridging the high school-to-uni transition.

Root Causes: Unpacking the Drivers of Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation doesn't emerge in isolation. Academic pressure tops the list in Australia, with NAPLAN stress and ATAR competition fueling anxiety. Social media amplifies cyberbullying and FOMO, while family breakdowns and economic hardship compound vulnerabilities. The pandemic worsened isolation, with a 50 percent rise in youth mental health service demand reported by Orygen.

Indigenous students face cultural disconnection and intergenerational trauma, with rates double the national average. LGBTQ+ youth endure discrimination, reporting ideation at 45 percent. Economic factors like cost-of-living crises hit families, indirectly stressing teens. Understanding these step-by-step—from individual stressors to systemic failures—is key to prevention.

The Australian Government's suicide data portal shows ideation as a precursor, urging proactive measures.

School Responses and Systemic Gaps

Victorian schools grapple with overstretched wellbeing teams, often reactive rather than preventive. The study critiques this, advocating embedded programs over ad-hoc efforts. Nationally, only 20 percent of schools have comprehensive mental health plans, per recent audits.

Stakeholders like principals call for funding; teachers seek training. Parents worry about detection without alarming kids. Universities like Melbourne, via Orygen, model scalable solutions, influencing policy like Victoria's Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-34.

Implications for Higher Education: From High School to University

As high school students transition to university, unresolved ideation risks escalation. Australian unis report 25-30 percent ideation rates among first-years, per Headspace data. Orygen's findings inform higher ed strategies: peer training, screening at orientation, CBT apps.

Universities must collaborate with secondary schools for seamless support. Research roles in youth mental health—counseling, psychology, public health—are booming, positioning academia as a solution leader. Explore opportunities at AcademicJobs.com for such careers.

Proven Solutions: MAPSS and Beyond

MAPSS succeeded by integrating training, screening, and therapy. Broader recommendations include:

• Mandatory staff training in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
• Universal screening tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
• Peer-led programs with oversight
• Partnerships with services like Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue
• Policy mandates for mental health in curricula

Orygen urges resourced implementation, proven to cut ideation by 20-30 percent in trials.

Case Studies: Successes and Lessons from Australian Schools

In NSW, postvention programs reduced contagion after suicides by 40 percent, per Orygen evaluations. Victorian pilots like MAPSS identified 200+ at-risk students early. Headspace school hubs in Queensland halved emergency visits. These real-world cases show multimodal works when sustained.

Challenges persist: rural access, stigma. Unis contribute via telehealth pilots.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from Experts, Schools, and Families

Prof. Robinson stresses, "Schools offer vital opportunities." Principals advocate funding; parents seek transparency. Government pledges $2.3 billion via National Suicide Prevention Leadership, but experts call for school-specific allocation.

Lifeline CEO notes 50,000 youth calls yearly. Balanced views highlight shared responsibility.

Future Outlook: Trends and Policy Horizons

With Gen Z ideation rising, AI screening and VR training loom. Victoria's strategy targets 20 percent reduction by 2034. Unis like Melbourne expand Orygen models nationally.

Optimism lies in evidence: early action saves lives.

Actionable Insights: Steps for Stakeholders

For schools: Adopt MAPSS. Parents: Watch signs, encourage talk. Unis: Bolster transition support. Visit Lifeline or Orygen for resources. Policy: Fund screening.

Every conversation counts—act now to stem the crisis.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash