WARNING: This story contains distressing elements, including references to suicide. New data released by Kids Helpline shows First Nations young people were twice as likely as the broader population to report thoughts of suicide last year.One third of First Nations youth who received counselling from the free, round-the-clock service in 2025 reported suicide ideation; that number rose from 24 per cent in 2020.The figures align with findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which show suicide is a leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, accounting for one in five deaths between 2019 and 2023.Kids Helpline is a national service that provides support and counselling across phone and online platforms for young people aged five to 25.Not every person who makes contact with the service receives counselling, because some are seeking general information. Last year, Kids Helpline recorded a total of 4,444 contacts from First Nations youth, with 20 per cent coming from regional or remote areas, which was 11 per cent higher than the national average.Young people from outside the metropolitan centres were also more likely to report high levels of distress, which Kids Helpline said reflects the compounding impact of geographic isolation and limited access to local services.The Head of Virtual Services at yourtown, which delivers Kids Helpline, Tony Fitzgerald said young people from remote or regional areas were also more likely to contact the service after hours.“That additional accessibility is really important for them, particularly when they may not have any service in their community to reach out to,” he said.We're there 24 hours, seven days a week.Tony Fitzgerald, Head of Virtual Services, yourtownThe service has seen a roughly 15 per cent increase in the number of contacts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people over five years, as experts warn of a rise in racism following the Voice referendum, among other issues.The number of First Nations counselling contacts reporting suicide ideation was highest in the referendum year of 2023, at 35 per cent, moderating to 33 per cent in 2025, despite an overall rising trend throughout the past five years.Earlier this month, the biennial Australian Reconciliation Barometer recorded a “significant” rise in racism against First Nations people, jumping from 39 per cent in 2014 to 54 per cent in 2024.Kids Helpline has encouraged parents, carers and educators to make sure children and young people are aware of the service, so they can seek support if they need it.“We've got counsellors there who can speak to them around any issue, no matter how big or small, because if a young person feels that the need to reach out to a service like ours, then we acknowledge and value the importance of being able to respond to that,” Fitzgerald said.13 YARN (13 92 76)Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)Lifeline (13 11 14)