John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Mr Deputy Speaker Scott, as the ambassador for Lifeline I ask your indulgence to wear this yellow scarf to promote Lifeline's great work over the past 49 years in helping people in need and raising awareness of suicide prevention. Today we reflect on the grave toll within our society from mental illness that leaves desperate people to consider taking unthinkable steps. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 44. It is estimated that in Australia 65,000 people attempt suicide each year. Tragically, every day six people take their own life.

Lifeline's Out of the Shadows campaign provides a very simple yet powerful message to all Australians with mental illness or to those who know someone experiencing it: come out of the shadows and seek help, because you are not alone. In the past 12 months, Lifeline has received over 500,000 calls to its 24-hour crisis support line. Suicide prevention can be addressed at different levels, starting with a change in the community's attitude towards mental illness. Stigmas place a barrier for those who are in a dark place and who need help. We need to encourage people to step out of the shadows and into the light, because they are not alone.