Background:
There are limited nationwide data on changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviours over time, and whether these differ across priority population groups. Such data are needed to track trends and inform policy and service delivery. Relationship breakdown is a well‑established risk factor for suicidal ideation; however, it remains unclear which groups of men remain at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours following relationship breakdown. Addressing these gaps is essential for designing timely and effective suicide prevention responses.
Aims:
This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among men who have and have not experienced relationship breakdown in the previous 12 months, including differences by priority populations and changes over time, and (2) examine whether the association between relationship breakdown and suicidal thoughts and behaviours vary by population characteristics, socioeconomic factors, risky behaviours and social support.
Methods:
Data were drawn from Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (2013–14 to 2024), a nationally-representative, longitudinal study of Australian boys and men. Outcomes included suicidal thoughts (past two weeks and past 12 months) and suicidal plans and attempts (past 12 months). Poisson regression models assessed associations between relationship breakdown and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, with interaction analyses testing variation by key characteristics.
Results:
Men who experienced recent relationship breakdown in the previous 12 months had markedly higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours than men who had not, across all priority population groups. Over time, the proportion of men reporting suicidal thoughts in the past 2 weeks increased for all men, while the prevalence of suicidal thoughts over the past 12 months, suicidal plans and suicidal attempts remained largely stable.
In adjusted analyses, relationship breakdown was associated with a 59% higher risk of recent suicidal thoughts in the short term and an approximately 4-fold higher risk of suicide attempts around 2 years later. In 2024, associations with recent suicidal thoughts were evident among men without disability and among those who were employed, financially secure and not living alone. Other examined risk and protective factors did not meaningfully modify these associations.
Implications:
Relationship breakdowns remain a strong, short and long-term risk factor for suicidality among men. Risk appears to vary by men’s functional and social circumstances prior to relationship breakdown. Distinguishing short‑term risk of suicidal thoughts from longer‑term risk of suicide attempts is critical for aligning prevention strategies with the timing and nature of risk.