Director of nursing at Terang and Mortlake Health Service Jane Fitzgibbon and St John of God mental health manager John Parkinson say the incidence of suicide across the south-west is shocking.

Mrs Fitzgibbon’s son Sam took his own life this year.

“In just our local shires of Moyne and Corangamite, including Sam, there has been 16 deaths this year,” Mrs Fitzgibbon said.

“That is 15 families that are just as heartbroken as we are, and there are over 3000 in Australia.”

Figures from Sane Australia show at least 20 per cent of adults are affected by mental illness every year and at least 45 per cent of Australians will experience a mental illness during their lives.

Mrs Fitzgibbon said a culture change was needed.

“Communities have to be responsible to make a change to break the stigma,” she said.

“We need people to speak up. We have to able to reduce it. If Sam had a physical illness, he would ring me up and ask me to get him an appointment (at the doctors).

“If someone in our community had cancer, if they had a heart attack, or broke their arm, they seek help.”

Mrs Fitzgibbon urged people who had mental health issues such as anxiety or depression to be brave and tell their story to the community.

“We need people coming out from behind the door,” she said.

“It has been closed. It has been a secret shame. There is nothing to be ashamed of – it is an illness.”

She said people needed to engage in more face-to-face conversations.

“Our legacy to Sam, and others like Sam, is to engage our communities in cultural change,” Mrs Fitzgibbon said.

“No government or services will change how we as individuals talk. This change is up to us as a community.”

Mr Parkinson said a report from the Victorian Coroner’s Court showed the high risk age groups for suicide were 16-25, 35-43 and over 84.

“It seems to be (in) a significant part of a person’s life where they make choices,” he said.

“I know there is a lot of concern from parents about the wellness of their children. They are worried about what they might do, particularly with drugs and alcohol being such a big part of young people’s life now.”

Mrs Fitzgibbon said feelings of sadness that could lead to depression could occur at any age or time.

“When this does occur you need to seek help – there is always help,” she said.

“As parents, we have one goal – to ensure our children are loved, safe and happy. There is never a problem too big or small that can’t be talked through with your parents or friends.

“There is always a solution to any problem.”