And while these figures are disturbing, the issue of suicide remains a taboo topic in society.

But today, World Suicide Prevention Day, Hunter mental health authorities are urging people to speak up about suicide to curb the

number of people taking their own lives.

“We don’t really have suicide figures for Maitland because we don’t want to isolate a particular community, but we do know that in places like Australia one in 20 people, every fortnight, are having suicidal thoughts ... so it’s a serious issue,” Lifeline project co-ordinator David Coren said.

“There are more suicides per year than car fatalities and the number of suicides is under reported as well, which doesn’t help.”

The devastating effects of suicide in the Maitland community were highlighted during a forum on suicide prevention held in the Maitland area last year.

The team at Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter staged the forum to increase community awareness of suicide and help stop residents taking their own lives.

A Maitland Suicide Prevention Network was formed this year as a result of the community forum.

The network is made up of a group of concerned people working together to increase awareness about the devastating losses associated with death by suicide.

Wesley LifeForce has also joined to support members of the Maitland community.

“Local people really want to make a difference when it comes to suicide, they want to start talking about it and that’s what every community needs to do,” Wesley LifeForce manager Angela Court said.

“It’s all about raising awareness and encouraging people to be open and talk about suicide. But it’s still such a taboo subject and people don’t want to discuss it,” Ms Court said.

For help phone Lifeline on 131 114.