And yet we are still so reluctant to utter its name.

For centuries, suicide was considered a source of shame, an affront to God and an embarrassment for families.

But while the stigma has reduced in recent years, the tragic tide of loss continues.

There are questions forever seared into the soul of those left behind.

Why didn’t I see it? Why couldn’t I do more?

What dark hole could a loved one possibly be in to consider ending it all?

No community in the Riverina, and certainly not Junee, has been left untouched by suicide.

And no amount of newspaper articles or awareness campaigns can rid us completely of its grasping reach.

But we can still make a difference.

If you’re struggling, it starts simply by having the courage to speak to those close to you about the source of your pain.

If you know someone who might be struggling, it starts with a simple three word phrase: Are you okay?

Only by openly discussing the precursors to suicidal thoughts – so often depression and mental pain – can we hope to confront the consequences.

For men in regional areas, the struggle for emotional candour is even greater.

Raised to view emotions as a sign of weakness, blokes in the bush are unsurprisingly overrepresented in suicide statistics.

The majority of the estimated 65,000 Australians that attempt to take their own life each year are men.

And more men die by their own hand than are killed in car accidents.

Just as community awareness has helped drive down the road toll, it can help reduce the suicide toll.

First there needs to be a seismic cultural shift in how men communicate with each other about their feelings and inner demons.

There’s no shame in speaking about what’s troubling you. In fact, it’s a sign of strength.

It’s a sign that you are man enough to want to protect your family from a lifetime of torment.

We should never forget that light can shine from life’s darkest corners. Sometimes we just have to ask for help to find it.