More than 100 lives could be saved by the installation of fencing at a suicide hotspot in Hobart, a coroner has been told.
But while the idea has the backing of Tasmania's chief psychiatrist, evidence suggests building a barrier might not reduce the state's overall suicide rate, which he said is the second highest in the nation.
Records kept since 1995 relating to a major piece of infrastructure in the southern capital show 27 deaths since 2000, including a spike of seven in 2015.
The data has left mental health experts, including psychiatrist Leonard Lambeth, searching for answers.
"We are not able to come up with any definitive answer at all and in fact anything we said would be very much a guess," he said of what caused the cluster of deaths at the location in 2015.
Counsel assisting the coroner Jack Shapiro said a fence at the site would reduce if not stop the deaths, which have averaged almost three a year since 1995.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart calculated that into the future a fence could therefore save some 120 lives.
But Dr Lambeth pointed out the solution is not so simple.
"We know that if we put barriers there we should reduce suicides there and in this local geographical area," he said.
"Reducing access to means is extremely important.
"(But) studies show a number of people will simply suicide at another spot."
One of three psychiatrists due to give evidence at the inquest, Dr Lambeth said the barriers are an idea that should definitely be further considered.
He praised the state government for taking a proactive approach to suicide prevention which includes the addition of help-line phones and signage at the location, which is not being publicly named to deter copycat acts.
Police do not have the manpower to constantly monitor CCTV cameras at the spot, Inspector Adrian Bodnar said, adding that it's difficult to estimate the cost of resources spent on responding to emergency calls about the location.
"Each situation is somewhat different ... (and) I can't give you a definitive figure on the cost," he said.
Seven witnesses are due to give evidence at the inquest, which is expected to wrap up on Tuesday.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
© AAP 2024
