Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and R U O K? Day. It is the time that we encourage all Australians to reach out to a friend, a family member or a colleague and ask a simple question, 'Are you okay?' Around 400,000 Australians think about taking their own life each year; 2½ thousand deaths by suicide occur in our country each year; and suicide is the No. 1 cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44. It takes a devastating toll on communities in regional and rural Australia.

Mental health, depression or anxiety can affect any one of us and all of us have known, loved or mourned someone who has taken their life. So often these deaths come as a complete shock to even the closest of friends and family members. We say to each other, 'We just could not have guessed; there was no way to know.' But there is actually, just ask. Taking the time to listen, asking a simple question, showing someone you care, showing someone that they are not on their own could change a life, it could even save a life. So not just today but each and every day, let's ask someone, 'Are you okay?'