People are the "missing ingredient" in mental health, says renowned advocate Professor Patrick McGorry.
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In one sense, that seems rather a strange thing to say given the fact mental illness has a more devastating impact on people's lives than the national road toll.
We know 3000 people end their lives each year; we know suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44 in Australia; and we know that on average, six men take their lives each day.
Now a damning new study reveals suicidal behaviour among men could be up to three times higher than current estimates.
Every day, 82 Australian men call an ambulance due to suicidal thoughts or attempts and 78 per cent of them end up in hospital, according to the Beyond the Emergency report released on May 29.
The three-year research project, led by Beyond Blue, highlights the scale and nature of crisis calls to ambulance services by men with acute mental health issues.
The figures should have us screaming from the rooftops, claim those campaigning for urgent changes to the system.
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And yet in many ways, we - as individuals, as communities, as leaders and policy-makers - are still all-too silent on the subject.
"Politicians would not be able to neglect cancer the way they neglect mental health because the public would rise up," says Professor McGorry.
He's right of course, and he makes the point there is still too much disparity between mental health and physical health.
As the head of lobby group Australians For Mental Health, Professory McGorry is calling for a groundswell of support for radical changes to the way we assess and care for our most vulnerable citizens.
He has staunch allies in local campaigners Stuart and Annette Baker, who founded the Albury-Wodonga Winter Solstice for Survivors of Suicide after the death of their daughter Mary in 2011.
Out of heartbreaking tragedy, their voices started the wheels of change turning in this community and beyond.
Later this year a documentary about that journey and those of other suicide survivors will have its first screening at Albury's Regent Cinemas.
The hope is Solstice will be used as a resource to ignite communities to bring about positive change at every level of mental health.
Now we need to add our cries to the call ... before the next call about a loved one that no person should ever have to receive.
- If you or someone you know needs help: Call Lifeline 13 11 14