Australian Bureau of Statistics data released less than a fortnight before Bendigo’s suicide awareness walk showed 2864 people took their own life in 2014, almost three hundred more than in 2013 and the highest recorded number in 10 years.  

At that rate, an average of eight Australians suicide each day, or one every three hours. 

Lifeline Loddon Mallee chief executive officer Leo Schultz called the statistics “devastating” for his organisation, which offers support for people contemplating self-harm.

“We have been concerned suicide wasn't an abating issue in our community,” he said.

“This demonstrates that out suspicion was correct.”

But Mr Schultz hoped the statistics would motivate the community and its leaders to recognise the need for more services like Lifeline.

“To me, this adds impetus for us as a centre to work harder at getting support from the local community, from government, so we can build our service,” he said, explaining the Loddon Mallee Lifeline centre had been forced to downsize over the last year.   

He lauded community organisations like the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group and Bendigo’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network for their efforts to reduce the suicide rate.

He called on government to support these grass roots initiatives and to invest in research to determine what else could be done to lower rates of suicide.   

Lynsey Ward, a community member with lived experience of suicide who contributes to MRSPAG, told the Bendigo Advertiser last week she was distressed by the lack of resources in the regional areas for people contemplating suicide as well as loved ones who have lost a friend or relative.  

“It often falls to the family members of people to find them support, and if they are grieving as well, obviously this is very difficult,” she said. 

Ms Ward’s 20-year-old brother, Liam, took his own life in 2008.

But eight years on, the ABS data showed many young men are still suiciding, with more than a quarter of deaths in males aged between 15 and 34 due to self-harm.

Bendigo residents will have their chance to march for suicide prevention and awareness at the annual SPAN walk through the city’s Chinese district on March 20.  

If you are having a difficult time, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.