This week was both World Suicide Prevention Day and national R U OK? Day - two days aimed at decreasing suicide across the country.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds in Australia and statistics reveal that male suicide rates double that of females.

As someone in this age group, I find these statistics heart-breaking.

It is even more heart-breaking to think someone could have made a difference if they stopped and took a second to ask someone if they were OK or made someone feel good about themselves.

Events such as R U OK? Day are great, but it's important that we do this on more than just one day a year.

We should be asking people this every day and we should be making sure we mean it and are ready to listen to the answer.

When I was at school, suicide wasn't spoken about.

We didn't even learn about depression and the effect it can have.

We had a school counsellor, but the topic didn't come up in the classroom.

Given school-aged teenagers are the biggest age group affected by suicide, maybe it should be talked about in schools.

Maybe then, if we start learning about things like depression from a young age, it'll break down the barriers, it'll teach people that there are hundreds of qualified people out there to talk to, and that there are ways to make yourself feel better.

On R U OK? Day Virgin Mobile gave its customers free calls within Australia.

This was a great initiative, as it meant people could talk to friends without cost.

More companies should be doing things like this and doing it for more than one day.

We need to encourage people to talk.

We need to encourage others to realise how great life is and that every person brings a special something to the world.

And we need to remember to look out for others and that it's OK to let our feelings out.

Let's challenge ourselves to make sure someone else is OK every day by asking the simple, but meaningful, question: are you OK?

If you need help or counselling contact Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.