There was speculation that suicide rates would significantly increase due to the severity of the February 28, 2022, natural disaster. 

The Lismore App spoke to Richmond Police District Superintendent (Supt) Scott Tanner and local mental health agencies to determine the impact on our community 16 months after the event.

According to Supt Tanner, suicide rates in our region post-flood have not increased significantly, with increased funding to our region potentially the determining factor.

"In 2022, there was a total of 16 attempted or actual suicides, with five of them occurring in January and February, which is post-flood," he said.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that our region averaged just under 15 suicide-related deaths between 2017 and 2021.

Supt Tanner believes we may have avoided a significant increase which was speculated to be the case post-flood; however, mental health support for upcoming challenges is still needed.

"What we are seeing is the yearly average rate has not spiked as anticipated, which is a very positive outcome."

Concerned about the potential impact the natural disaster would have on flood survivors, state and federal government agencies increased funding for mental health to manage the situation.

Recently Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler announced additional funding to our region for mental health.

"New funding from the Albanese Government brings our support for primary and mental health care after the Northern Rivers floods to more than $12.5 million," he said.

This is on top of $31.2 million in funding announced by the Morrison Government in 2022 for New South Wales and Queensland, and the Northern Rivers received a significant portion of that. 

In March 2022, the State Government announced it would invest $25 million in mental health support for flood-affected people.

Michael Were, Lifeline Regional General Manager Northern NSW, said funding to our region has made significant impacts in helping our community.

"At Lifeline, we received funding for a community wellbeing program to have community advocates across the region," he said.

"Some other examples of where the funding has been significant is The Head to Health hub at Southern Cross University, which is an excellent example of mental health support our region has received since the flood; Healthy North Coast, as the Primary Health Network in our region, has had funding boosted with a meaningful impact on services they deliver."

"The funding has helped us continue to do the work we need in our community."

However, Mr Were believes our community still faces mental health issues from the flood.

"The Black Summer Bushfires is an excellent example of how support is still required for mental health years later," he said.

"The job is not done; it will take a long time, especially with accommodation, housing and buybacks, affecting people's mental health."

"We have a great group of volunteers who answer the phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week".

"Calls doubled the month after the flood and were still at 50% higher for the months following, and are still higher than pre-flood today."

According to a spokesperson at Head to Health, State Government, mental health agency set up at Southern Cross University, they agree that we may not have passed the peak.

"The research tells us that the mental health effects on traumatised communities can peak up to 6 months after the event and again at 12 months, marking the anniversary," the spokesperson said.

"However, the other issue we are seeing is that many in our Northern Rivers community remain in substandard housing while waiting for government buybacks, trying to rebuild, keep relationships strong and raising children."

"These cumulative stressors wear people down over time, even if they have coped well previously. We see the cracks start to show in relationship/ parenting issues, low mood and motivation, or poor sleep."

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies agrees.

"It is important to consider that the recovery will take many years," he said.

"The Northern Rivers was impacted by last year's floods with almost 6,500 people applying to the Resilient Home package for funding for flood-damaged homes."

"Some say this is the biggest natural disaster causing displacement since Cyclone Tracy. The floods have impacted people in different ways – small business people have been impacted, school children have lost schools, and people are repairing their homes. Social Futures will keep working hard to deliver support to our community."

Mr Davies also said new social challenges would increase the assistance required.

"Our teams in the field are seeing an increase in mental health presentations due to stress on families and individuals around cost-of-living pressures. People living on pensions are further marginalised due to the increased cost of living – they have to cut out socialising, i.e. cups of coffee at the local café. Families facing overcrowding and domestic violence may also face food shortages, exacerbating underlying issues."

If you require mental health assistance, please do not hesitate to contact any of the many organisations set up to support your wellbeing. 

Here are a few of the many options available:

Lifeline- 13 11 14

Head to Health - 1800 595 212

Social Futures - 1800 719 625