In Conversation with John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations - Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2025 - Changing the Narrative on Suicide, and the Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.

In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day Áine speaks with John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations, an expert working in homelessness advocacy to discuss the latest data on child homelessness and the urgent call to federal, state and territory governments for immediate action to invest in safe housing and support for children experiencing homelessness.

National data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has shown that unaccompanied children and young people aged 12 – 17 years are seeking support from specialist homelessness services and are often being turned away due to lack of beds or appropriate housing. Without adequate investment they are becoming trapped in homelessness and are at significant increased risk of suicide and death.

In “2023-2024, 4,462 children who presented for help needed medium term housing, but 2,863 did not receive it.

Over the same period, 4,435 children needed long term housing, but, 3,551, or 80.7 missed out (Homelessness Australia, HomeTime)”. “The leading cause of death for the 520 children who died in the decade to 2023 was suicide ... Homelessness can have significant effects on mental wellbeing. Australia cannot accept children dying because they are situations they have no control over (Chris Gambian, Australians for Mental Health)”.