When Lauren Healy drove down the long driveway to her family home in the picturesque Margaret River region in Western Australia, she knew something was wrong.
Her husband's car was in the driveway but he hadn't picked up their two young boys from school.
In fact, she hadn't heard from him all day.
When she got inside the house her worst fears were realised.
Her husband Craig had taken his own life less than one week after returning home from more than a month of treatment for depression at a Perth clinic.
Sent home without support
After five weeks Mr Healy's psychiatrist told him it was time to go home.
According to Ms Healy, the psychiatrist said the treatment was "becoming a bit repetitive".
It wasn't until after her husband had died that she discovered the first week after being discharged from hospital carried the highest risk of suicide.
The clinic said it could not comment on the case due to privacy and confidentiality obligations.
A town marred by suicide
The Healy family tragedy is the latest to hit the town, which is best known for its pristine beaches, endless waves and world-class wineries.
Over the past 18 months, the tight-knit community has been rocked by a string of suicides.
For former Augusta-Margaret River shire president Ian Earl, the tragedies hit close to home.
The father of three men has five young grandsons.
"There's some real concern out there about the epidemic of mental health and of the suicides that are happening," Mr Earl said.
"I think men probably don't talk about the issue. There is still a bit of stigma attached to mental health."
Services should be 'everywhere'
In Mr Healy's case, he was more proactive than most in seeking help.
But Ms Healy said accessing help close to home was difficult.
Mr Healy at first attended the local mental health clinic in Margaret River.
One night, when he was having suicidal thoughts, she rushed him to the local hospital where he spoke to a psychiatrist on the phone.
But Ms Healy said hospital staff suggested he be taken to Bunbury hospital more than an hour away as they weren't equipped for his needs.
She said the only option was to admit him to a clinic for treatment.
But she felt sending him away only did more damage because being close to family was one of the things that prevented her husband from self-harming.
"This isn't an issue that is only in the city, there needs to be accessible mental health facilities everywhere."
More early intervention needed
Libby Mettam the state's opposition health spokeswoman and Member for Vasse, which covers the Margaret River and Busselton regions, said the situation in Margaret River and beyond was distressing.
She said the number of mental health presentations at Busselton Health Campus had surged in the past 12 months.
"But also a need to ensure that our hospitals are adequately resourced as well."
In a statement, the state government said it had invested $1.14 billion in the 2021–2022 budget for mental health.
It said the number of mental health beds in the South West had increased to 109 beds, with a further six beds due to open soon.
The spokesperson said staff in regional hospitals were supported through the WA Country Health Service Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service, which provided specialist emergency mental health support to doctors and nurses.
Residents step up to fill gap
A lack of acute and preventative services in the region has driven residents and charitable groups to take matters into their own hands.
Colin Fox started Suicide Prevention Margaret River after his local hockey club lost two members to suicide in 2016.
The program is the first point of contact for people struggling with mental health and links them with further support services.
Ms Healy hopes by sharing her story, things will improve and others won't have to go through what her family has suffered.
"This isn't an issue that is only in the city," she said.
"There needs to be accessible mental health facilities everywhere."
