“We spend so much time making sure we exercise and eat properly,” psychologist Dr Rob Gordon says, “but we need more of a focus on mental health.”

Dr Gordon said for those concerned about people in their lives they believe may be at risk, he advises talking rather than avoiding the subject, as in the past.

“We now know that it is most important to speak about it,” he said,.

“If you skirt around the edges, or sidestep it, that just increases the person’s sense that they are all alone.”

Dr Gordon said people were often afraid of raising the subject because it might people think about suicide.

“You won’t put it in their mind ... if it’s in their mind, it’s there; so instead, ask questions like: ‘How bad does it get?’ ‘What do you think about when it gets bad?’” 

“Encourage them to talk to a mental health professional.”

Often through talking they start to think and clarify things and if they still seem “really out of reach’’ offer to take or go with them to a doctor, or mental health professional, Dr Gordon said.