Saturday's Walk Towards Hope in Dubbo was a moving demonstration of compassion and courage.
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Statistics quoted by NALAG Centre for Loss and Grief manager suggest every 40 seconds someone commits suicide across the world and in Australia there were more than 2000 people who took their own lives in Australia each year.
It is a far greater number than die in motor vehicle accidents, yet one we are far less likely to read or talk about.
There is no doubt a stigma attached to suicide, and as such the topic is taboo in our conversations and often swept under the carpet.
Reporting suicide in the media has also traditionally been a difficult issue for media outlets to report due to the fear it instigates so-called 'copycat suicides'.
Years ago, it was unthinkable that more than 100 people would take to the street in such a public show of support for those affected by suicide
Yet the idea behind the Walk Towards Hope, and indeed the emerging belief amongst a significant section of the community, is that bringing the community's attention to the issue may offer some strength, peace and support for those affected by suicide.
While there are often no easy solutions to the challenges life throws us, it is to be hoped that shining a light on the tragic issue that is suicide may help shed the stigma surrounding it and prompt those who see no other way out to seek the help they need sooner rather than later.