It also warns people against attempting to talk their loved ones out of suicide by telling them how much it would hurt their family and friends, following evidence that shows it can actually make people feel worse about themselves. The new campaign includes a list of signs that people may be at risk of suicide, such as extreme mood swings, talking about death and increasing alcohol or drug use. Former Victoria Police Detective Sergeant Paul Walshe said when he was thrown into a devastating period of depression following a traumatic incident at work in 1999, he experienced symptoms you might not expect. He stopped remembering phone numbers he used to recall with ease, and would forget to get off on the right floor when taking the office lift.

“Reports that would take me 15 minutes to write were taking me an hour. I was arguing with my wife,” Mr Walshe said. “My whole personality changed from easygoing to getting agitated all the time. It shattered my confidence.” In early 2004, Mr Walshe made detailed preparations to take his own life, which were disrupted only by his sister making a surprise visit to his home. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video He said he did not want to die, but didn’t know how to cope.

During these tumultuous years, Mr Walshe said he was asked how he was going by a number of those around him, but he was not specifically questioned about any plans for suicide. He believes that discussion could have helped him to better reflect on how he was feeling. “We started years ago with the R U OK campaign, but now it needs to go further,” he said. “We need to ask ‘Are you safe? Are you thinking about suicide?’” Each day about eight lose their lives to suicide in Australia, with 2866 deaths in 2016 from intentional self harm. Beyondblue chief executive Georgie Harman said each day another 200 people attempted suicide.

“These are not small numbers. They are double the national road toll,” she said. Ms Harman said that while mental health organisations had talked about suicide prevention being everyone’s business, until now they hadn’t equipped the community with information about exactly how they could play a role. People are being encouraged to tell loved ones that they have noticed they’re behaving differently and, if worried about the possibility, ask about thoughts of suicide, then listen with empathy and without judgment. Ms Harman said #YouCanTalk campaign would complement the ongoing work by R U OK?, which is one of seven groups collaborating on the new initiative.

The project was prompted by recent University of Melbourne research which found many people wrongly feared talking about suicide could put the thought in someone’s mind. Black Dog Institute director Professor Helen Christensen said it was not harmful to ask someone if they were thinking about taking their own life or to find out if they have made a plan. “In fact, it could help,” she said. “It’s important that we all know the facts about suicide and our prevention efforts are informed by what the research tells us.” To find out more about the campaign visit lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/youcantalk/