Nine years after the death of her daughter, people still stumble over the topic when speaking to Annette Baker.
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"It doesn't matter how much we try to stop the silence and the stigma, there is still an awkwardness around the subject of suicide," she says.
And yet, almost paradoxically, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.
Eight Australians die every day by suicide - that's more than double the road toll.
More than 800,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, representing 1 person every 40 seconds
Despite the magnitude of this global crisis, there is still a treacherous gap in services and supports - in both prevention and post-vention.
When Annette and Stuart Baker lost their 15-year-old daughter Mary in 2011, they staggered alone and helpless in their grief.
"There was nothing for us at the time," Annette says.
"And we don't want anyone to go through what we were feeling and experiencing," Stuart adds.
This was, in part, the reason the Bakers started Survivors of Suicide and Friends (SoS&F) in 2013.
The organisation has grown to support major fundraising, community campaigns and events, including the Winter Solstice and Big Splash, and act as a voice for all those affected by mental illness and suicide.
These days, Annette says, Survivors of Suicide and Friends "is everyone".
"You don't meet many people who have not been affected by suicide," she says.
After the success of this year's Virtual Winter Solstice (which reached an audience of 65,000 people), the reach of SoS&F is expanding beyond the local community.
"People want content beyond what we do for the Winter Solstice on June 21," Annette says.
So it is fitting, on World Suicide Prevention Day, that their voices join the chorus on this global day of action and awareness.
Now, more than ever, the need for community to care for community is vital, Stuart says.
"There is an absolute epidemic of suicide," he states.
"It is serious and it is urgent. It is as much a global crisis as COVID-19 but it has never been given that title."
In the aftermath of bushfires and in the current climate of COVID-19, Stuart says already stretched mental health services are facing unprecedented demand.
And the way people might normally maintain their mental health has been interrupted.
"Waiting times are getting longer, often treatment is interrupted due to lockdowns or border closures and face to face contact is being lost," he explains.
"Add to this the climate of unemployment, job insecurity and isolation and this all translates to huge risk factors.
"The panic level is high across all levels of government at what could unfold."
Professor Patrick McGorry, executive director of Orygen Youth Help, has already flagged a 33 per cent increase in suicidal behaviour in young people.
The risk is building and modelling suggests a 13 to 25 percent rise in suicide will follow, he warns.
Stuart and Annette Baker do not intend to stand idly by and watch that happen.
"We can't afford to keep losing our young people, any of our people, all sorts of people, to largely preventable deaths," Stuart says.
"It's the start of the iceberg; it's not what you see above the water but what's happening below the water.
"We have to do a helluva lot more with mental health."
He urges every person in the community to be "alert, vigilant and agile" in helping to safeguard each other.
"If you are worried about someone or you know someone who needs help, don't be afraid to ask them that hard question," he says.
"Insist they get help and if it's not the right help the first time, keep trying and trying and trying until you can get the right care."
Do you or someone you know need help?
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours) , text 0477 13 11 14 (6pm to midnight)
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
- BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
For more information go to the Survivors of Suicide and Friends website.