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Teens15 to 17

Mental-health risk peaks, and support can vanish at 18.

The five biggest risks

Self-harm hospitalisations are highest at 15 to 19: 256 per 100,000, about 8 times the rate for under-15s. About 1 in 9 teenagers self-injured in the past year at 16 to 17.

  1. Self-harmBedroom, bathroomIn low periods, cut access to means: lock medicines away.
  2. Substance useKitchen, home barLock up medicines and alcohol.
  3. SilenceWhole homeMake hard things easy to talk about, with no punishment for telling.
  4. A crisis at nightAnywhereFind youth mental-health and after-hours supports before you need them.
  5. Turning 18 in careLeaving homePlan the move out of care early. Don't wait for the cliff.

Sources: AIHW, Injuries in children and adolescents 2021–22; AIHW, Suicide and self-harm monitoring: young people 2023–24; AIFS, Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2021). All ages side by side: by age.

Make it safe for teens

Room checks, guides and gear for this stage.

Someone to talk to Get help, any hour Medicines and alcohol A nurse, any hour Online safety Bathroom check First aid app Fire escape plan Worried about a child

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healthdirect on 1800 022 222, free, day or night.

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