I would also thank your many readers for the way they have joined in the conversation about depression and mental health.

Over the past 14 years the community and media are no longer prepared to sweep mental health issues under the carpet.

Sportsmen and women, along with people in business and politics, are increasingly prepared to discuss their experiences.

Federal and state governments of all political persuasions have contributed substantial new funding to mental health.

So we have come a long way; we are a more considerate society and more people are presenting to medical professionals for help.

But we still have a long way to go.

In 2012, the year for which the latest data is available, 2535 Australians took their own lives.

That is seven a day.

Young people, older people, men and women.

We as a community must work together to reduce that rate. It is totally unacceptable.

Think of the families, friends and colleagues who will grieve for the rest of their lives.

Beyondblue is doing more research in this area and we are increasing the number of conversations about suicide in an attempt to reduce its frequency.

Clinical depression, which is an illness, can usually be cured when diagnosed correctly and people experiencing it can then go on to lead productive and happy lives.

There is so much opportunity now with the improvement through science and to services.

— JEFF KENNETT,

Chairman, beyondblue