It got me thinking.

When this editor started out in journalism 20-plus years ago many things were different. There was one senior journalist whose sole job for the day was to write the editorial. That was their only job for the day.

The "comps" (short for compositors) who put the elements of the paper together for printing back then had a ritual of hanging up the copy person or cadet from a hook on the wall for a bit of fun. Harmless fun, right? Or was it? Imagine doing that now ..... you'd end up in court. And not long before then you could actually smoke in the newsroom. And many did. Profusely. From all account the newsroom resembled a small bush burn off.

Our approach to suicide and reporting on it back then was also very different. The approach was, quite simply, "just don't talk about it". That was the accepted practice in the media and the accepted practice in the community. Don't mention it.

Before the Suicide Act in 1961 it was actually a crime to attempt to commit suicide and fail. Imagine that for a second . You are in such a dark space in your life that you try and end it. Fail. Then stand charged with a criminal offence.

There are times when we pine for "the good old days", but maybe time strips away our memories of some of the things society has gladly moved on from.Julia Gillard.

In relation to the reporting of suicide and dealing with it as a community, hiding a problem under a carpet was never the right answer. This is an issue we need to deal with and deal with together as a community and as a society.

In opening the national suicide prevention conference in Melbourne this week former Prime Minister and current Beyond Blue chair Julia Gillard described suicide as "one of the greatest public health challenges of our time".

"But that does not mean we cannot achieve change," Ms Gillard continued. "When we work together, Australians can make the seemingly impossible possible."

Let's continue to talk as a community and continue to work together to make sure our future is different from our past.

For support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.