Last year, more than 1400 Australians died in car accidents. Every day we see another fatality and listen to the debate about what can be done to reduce the horrific toll and educate our young drivers.
Last year, about 2400 Australians committed suicide. If our road toll jumped to that figure, the nation would be demanding answers and action.
However, so much stigma is still attached to suicide that few talk about it. A national inquiry is hoping to change that, and wants to hear from people with first-hand knowledge of the suicide issue.
While Australians are slowly becoming more accepting of mental illness, suicide is still somewhat of a taboo subject.
This is exactly why it is vital that the inquiry hears from those affected by the suicide of a loved one or friend and it's just as important to hear from those who have attempted suicide.
These are the people who can tell the decision-makers what needs to be done.
Lifeline and other similar organisations carry out vital work and have no doubt saved the lives of countless people. Yet these organisations have to fight for funding to continue their life-saving work.
This inquiry is a chance for potential victims, their families and friends to tell their story, and for the government to right so many wrongs.
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