Suicide is often a taboo subject but a new Victorian play is trying to change that.
Organiser Taboo Talks created the 45-minute play called Suicide: It's Time We Talked to shine a light on youth suicide in the online era with the performance to be followed by a 30-minute expert health panel.
The production needs public votes to secure state government grants of nearly $21,000 for each of the 26 proposed performance locations across Victoria.
It explores how a girl's parents find suicidal comments on her computer as she climbs out her bedroom window.
Despite giving her parents a scare, she later shares her concerns of bullying and a friend's suicide with them and is greeted with understanding.
Positive psychology advocate Marie McLeod, who would be on the expert panel to answer questions after the play, said appropriate conversations can help prevent copycat tragedies.
"As we raise awareness, it becomes less of a taboo topic and people feel more comfortable talking about it," Ms McLeod said.
"The play is incredibly helpful in a visual way. That's really the catalyst for the conversation.
"We need to think about how we equip young people with skills and strategies, and one of those strategies is talking."
Theatre veteran Alan Hopgood wrote the play which is a joint effort between not-for-profit Parent Guides Pty Ltd, HealthPlay and PoPsy.
Attendees would also get a 36-page resource to help them navigate the conversation.
Organisers hope the production is one of the projects chosen for a Victorian government "Pick My Project" grant with residents able to vote for preferred projects.
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