STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:38): Last Thursday was World Suicide Prevention Day. It's a day to remember those we've lost, support the families left behind and remind people that help is always there. Three in every four Australians who die by suicide are men.

That's our dads, our brothers, our sons, our mates and our workmates. Too many blokes still think they've got to tough it out alone. They stay quiet because they don't want to look weak or feel like they're burdening somebody else.

But it's not weak to speak. Putting a hand up and asking for help takes absolute, real guts. We've got to make it normal for blokes to talk about how they're going, whether that's at home on the job, at the footy or over a beer with a mate.

We've all got a role to play in this. Don't just ask a mate if he's okay and accept, 'Yeah, mate,' when you know he's not. Ask again.

Sit down. Listen. Stick with him, and help him get the support he needs.

You don't need to have all the answers; you've just got to start the conversation. To every bloke out there doing it tough, you matter. People care about you, and things can get better.

Talk to a mate, see your GP, and make the call. To every Australian out there doing it tough, you matter. Sixteen years ago, I lost my cousin Anne-Marie to suicide.

At our family weekend coming up in October, we'll be thinking of you, we'll be talking about you, and we will certainly be missing you. Miss you, Anne-Marie.