Natural disasters and suicidality in Australia: a systematic review

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2026 Jun 26. doi: 10.1007/s00127-026-03160-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To systematically review Australian evidence examining associations between exposure to natural disasters and suicidal behaviours, including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide mortality.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with a pre-registered protocol (CRD42023471489), PRISMA, and SwiMS guidelines. Databases were searched in May 2026. Eligible studies were Australian observational studies examining droughts, floods, bushfires, heatwaves, or storms in relation to suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or death by suicide. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Findings were narratively synthesised.

RESULTS: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Evidence linking natural disasters to suicide mortality was mixed and inconsistent, particularly in short-term post-disaster analyses. In contrast, individual-level studies more consistently reported increased odds of suicidal ideation and self-harm following disaster exposure. Associations were strongest for prolonged drought, heat exposure, displacement, and cumulative or repeated disaster exposure, with several studies demonstrating dose response patterns. Most studies were judged to have moderate risk of bias, commonly due to exposure misclassification and limited control of confounding variables.

CONCLUSION: In Australia, natural disasters are more consistently associated with non-fatal suicidal behaviours than with suicide mortality. Post-disaster mental health responses should incorporate monitoring of these behaviours beyond the immediate recovery phase.

PMID:42360423 | DOI:10.1007/s00127-026-03160-x