Sydney - More than 1 million television viewers watched the All Saints glamour couple get married.

A day later, actor Mark Priestley, bridegroom in that episode of the hospital drama series, leapt to his death from a Sydney hotel balcony. He was 32 and seemed to have everything to live for.

There are around five suicides every day in Australia. It's more than the national road toll.

"It's a national tragedy and we've got to do something about it," said Alan Staines, director of the Salvation Army's Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support Programme.

He recommends that family and friends overcome their reluctance to talk to those they fear might be contemplating death.

"We've got to break down this stigma and reluctance to talk about the issue of suicide," Staines said. "It's often not until after the event when people talk about the warning signs, such as someone becoming isolated and withdrawn."

Talking about it doesn't always help. Priestley suffered from depression. All Saints cast members were keenly aware of this.

But Staines reckons his point about breaking down the taboo is valid all the same.

"What we are saying is that suicide prevention is everybody's business. We can all play a part."

Staines has devised an online training programme to help people pick up the indicators of an impending suicide attempt: potential victims mentioning taking their own lives in jest, cutting themselves off from family and friends, resorting to heavy drinking or heavy drug taking.

The manual also has role-play where people can practice broaching the subject.

Ian Hickey, director of Sydney's Brain and Mind Research Institute, applauds the initiative - and its implied notion that people can be saved from suicide.

"Depression is a very treatable illness," Hickey said. "At its worst, it's life threatening; at its worst, it kills - but it's highly treatable, it's something you really can do something about."

Most suicides - eight out of 10 - are men. And it's also the case that one suicide in a family or among friends can spark another.

Staines wants to demolish the fear that approaching someone contemplating suicide could be the catalyst for an actual suicide.

"By asking the question, in many cases, just relieves the person to be able to talk about the problems they're going through," he said.

With men, perhaps just asking the question - Are you thinking of taking your own life? - can unblock emotions and be the trigger for catharsis.

"That simple question is enough to release the bubble and get him to talk, and that becomes the first step to professional help," he said.

For Priestley, who had been an All Saints star for four years, there was abundant love, affection and care. Producers rescheduled filming to accommodate his low periods. Family, friends and fellow actors were supportive. Sometimes, all the assistance in the world doesn't seem to help. (dpa)