One in four Australians know someone who has committed suicide during the past 12 months amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures from Suicide Prevention Australia. The group found that 25 percent of Australians knew someone in their personal life or networks who died, or attempted suicide, while 27 percent said they had directly, or indirectly, sought assistance from a suicide prevention service in the last 12 months. Respondents said the biggest risks contributing to potential suicide over the next 12 months were social isolation (64 percent), unemployment and job losses (58 percent), family and relationship breakdowns (57 percent), and cost of living issues (55 percent). The figures stood in stark contrast to 2020’s survey, which had drugs and alcohol as the top risk. Suicide Prevention Australia commissioned YouGov to conduct the poll between Aug. 19-22, with 1,049 adults. The survey was conducted as part of the group’s State of …