Ms Carson, from the Bendigo Suicide Support Group, said the high rates of suicide among young people would only drop if the subject were no longer considered taboo.

Ms Carson’s brother committed suicide nine years ago.

“This is something that shouldn’t be put under the carpet,” she said.

Ms Carson said for a period of time she talked in schools about suicide prevention but there were concerns raised that the talks would encourage suicide.

“This needs to be out in the public,” she said.

“One of the big myths is that if people talk about it they’re not going to go through with it. They’re talking about it because they’re crying out for help.

“You need to go with your gut feeling; if you think someone is suicidal don’t be afraid to ask them, it’s better to ask and offend them than not.

“There is always someone they can talk to. People might think there is no hope but there is always someone willing to listen and help.”

Ms Carson’s comments come after the release of the Before it’s too late report by the Standing Committee for Health and Ageing, which was tabled in Federal Parliament on Monday.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in regional and rural areas.

The report made 10 recommendations aimed at creating a more aligned and structured national approach to suicide prevention and early intervention, raising awareness about the issue and building a coherent and accurate picture of what is happening in local communities.

Country Awareness Network chief executive Adam Wright said there was strong evidence to show same-sex-attracted young people had much higher rates of self-harm and suicide rates than their peers.

“For a young person there is so much pressure to fit in and a person’s sexuality is such an important part of their core being,” he said. “If they are not being accepted by their peers, their family or society, it can be twice as hard.

“Having said that, it is important to realise there is a lot of great work being done.”

A report by Dr Lynne Hillier in 2003 noted that homophobic abuse was significantly linked to negative health indicators including self-harm and suicide attempts. Writing Themselves In Again also demonstrated that parental rejection of a child’s sexuality is associated with higher rates of suicide attempts and to a lesser extent, self harm.

Anyone needing support should contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or MensLine Australia on

1300 78 99 78.