Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown there were 3027 suicides nationally in 2015, and Lifeline says three in four people who commit suicide are men. 

Lifeline Central West chief executive officer Alex Ferguson said the reasons why people choose to take their own lives are relatively well known but not often spoken about.

These can include financial pressures, depression and, for men, not being as resilient as might they think they are. 

“There are a number of different contributors that lead to that terrible act,” Mr Ferguson said.

Male suicide is also more prevalent in regional and rural areas, with Mr Ferguson saying the suicide rate is around three times higher than in the metropolitan areas. 

He said the most important thing people can do to help lower suicide rates is to talk to people and make it known that assistance is available and there are alternatives.

“It all gets back to things like Soar Ride and Shine last year, which was largely for men, particularly young men,” he said.

“One of the reasons we put that on was to say to men of all ages that it is much easier to call Lifeline or get on the phone to a mate than to go down the path of self harm.”

More importantly, Mr Ferguson said, is people in crisis rarely can be seen unless they have the confidence to come forward for help.

People are also encouraged to forget about the stigma around suicide and “simply recognise in people’s lives, things are not all good”.

Mr Ferguson said a “community-wide conversation” is essential to combat a problem that effects people across all walks of life.

“What we need is a community-wide conversation and the conversation has to be built around any loss of life, dare I say that’s not medical, is really not acceptable and we’ve got to work right across the community,” he said.

Anyone needing assistance during a crisis should not hesitate to call Lifeline on 13 11 14.