Suicide prevention event at Vic parliament

A push to start a conversation around suicide prevention will be launched in Victoria's parliament.

The Freemasons Victoria will launch its Men's Health Week program with a suicide prevention event at parliament on Wednesday.

Farmer and Freemason John Patterson, whose brother Charles killed himself 23 years ago, will recite a bush poem at the event, which will also be attended by others who have lost family members to suicide.

Mr Patterson has been reciting the poem Rain from Nowhere at various Freemasons lodges for the past two years, raising $37,000 for the Geelong Support After Suicide service.

Men's Health Week officially runs from June 12 to 18.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.

Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au.

Local Aboriginal Medical Service available from www.vibe.com.au.