Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group chairwoman Annie Rowland penned an open letter to political wannabes ahead of Saturday’s national vote, asking them to support recommendations made in Suicide Prevention Australia’s election manifesto.

The peak body’s election wishlist outlines four steps to reducing the number of Australians taking their own life, including a ten-year goal to halve suicide, passing a national Suicide Prevention Act and establishing a national office and research fund for the cause.    

“Thousands of lives depend on election promises being translated into sustainable change in government and community,” Ms Rowland wrote in the letter. 

Ms Rowland also said it was imperative people with lived experience of suicide were consulted when developing prevention initiatives. 

“Anyone who is making plans to change or develop or enhance existing mental health process, needs to be in touch with those who have the experience of getting their young person into care, or those who are affected when their loved one is suddenly discharged from hospital,” she said. 

She said her community had missed out on government-run prevention programs like headspace, with the nearest office of the youth mental health service in Bendigo.

“If it was a young person who didn't have parent support or someone who could drive them, then there's a lot of negotiation before they can get to Bendigo,” she said. 

She also said parts of the community vulnerable to suicide, like middle-aged men, also needed services to help them, but funding had been “robbed and robbed and robbed, time and time again”. 

An Australian Bureau of Statistics report released earlier this year showed 2864 Australians died by suicide in 2014, with men making up two-thirds of those taking their own life. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a difficult time, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14. People bereaved by suicide can contact MRSPAG at macedonrangesspag@gmail.com.