A tragic story has been unfolding over the past 24 hours.

The death by suicide of 14-year-old schoolgirl Sheniz Erkan. Apparently the latest victim of a growing  internet crime called cyber-bullying. That same internet has been used by more than 15,000 people paying tribute to the Taylors Lakes Secondary School student.

*Scroll down to hear Hinch's discussion with former Australian Of The Year, Professor Patrick McGorry*

Her brother Aykut has said his sister had been bullied at school and in cyberspace for a long time. 'She never wanted to let anyone down and she never wanted to tell anyone about it because she didn’t want anyone to worry'.

An admirable, but in the end fatal, attitude for one young girl. At a time when teenagers should not only be talking about their fears and problems but at a time when adults should be talking about suicide itself.

Former Australian of the Year, and mental health academic, Professor Patrick McGorry has said the suicide toll should be front page news. Deaths by suicide are higher than the road toll. Just over 1,500 people died on our roads last year. More than 2,500 Australians killed themselves.

McGorry says it is a public health scandal.: "Suicide is the biggest killer of adults up to the age of 40. Let's bring it out in the open."

He is right. It should be front page news. And today because of the latest tragedy it is.

On 3AW it has been handled extensively and compassionately. The grieving family has bravely spoken about their lost loved one. And so has the chairman of Beyond Blue, Jeff Kennett.

But I am confused. Why is there selective reporting on suicides? Kennett has boasted that he has stopped editors from running about a dozen stories on suicides.

He went to court  in 2009 to get an injunction to stop 60 Minutes from running a program on those teenage suicides in Geelong. And on that one the state government of John Brumby used  taxpayers money to support the injunction which stopped the story from ever going to air.

Even though the traumatised parents of some teenage suicide victims had put themselves through gruelling interviews because they thought they could send heartfelt messages and warnings to other parents and other troubled teens.

The initial injunction which blocked the program only minutes before it was due to go to air was granted by a judge even though he hadn't seen the program – and neither at that stage had Jeff Kennett.

I said back then: "Well media censorship is alive and well, or alive and unwell, in this town. Jeff Kennett and the courts have gone into overdrive. In a coincidental combination of suppression orders and beyondblue bully boy tactics you are being treated like mushrooms. You wouldn't know, you weren’t meant to know, that there was another teenage suicide in Geelong recently. A 14-year-old student at Geelong College killed herself.

There was a death notice in the Geelong Advertiser but the newspaper didn’t touch the story even though it was the fifth teenage suicide in the area in the past few months. And despite its coverage of earlier tragedies."

When I got off air that day I copped a phone spray from Kennett, saying I was wrong, I was insensitive, I just didn't understand.

He's right. I don't understand. I don't understand why Kennett, politicians and the courts will block a TV program, sight unseen and then, when it suits them come on radio and pontificate. Strange.

Footnote: 

Several years ago on 3AW program I did an experiment. I went on air and said: "Good afternoon. News just in: Paris Hilton has been rushed to hospital after a suicide attempt."

I quickly added that that was not true. 

But if it had been it would have led the 4pm news bulletin and would have been lead item on the TV news programs. And I did it to point out a terrible double standard. When are suicides and attempted suicides reported? When are they considered news?

If you are famous or a so-called celebrity then you are fair game. Even it is not a confirmed suicide there is widespread speculation. You see, there is an unwritten code about reporting suicides in this country. Unless you're famous or infamous.

A Traffic Alert about four police cars on the top of the West Gate Bridge alongside an empty car? Looks like a jumper? It won't go to air. Your commuter train is held up for an hour because of a person on the train tracks? You won't be told the real reason. They say it encourages copy cats.

I've never fathomed this out. If I am going to kill myself then I'll kill myself. I won't read about a jumper on the West Gate and suddenly think 'Gee, that's a great idea'.  I don't understand the logic.

NEED HELP?

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace (Non-crises youth support): 1800 650 890

PLAY: Patrick McGorry and Hinch discussion

Cyber-bullying takes girl's life

A family has been left devastated after a loving, friendly 14-year-old girl took her own life following relentless cyber-bullying. Her death has prompted more than 14,000 Facebook tributes. Click on the image of the teenager on the right for more details on this tragedy.

Neil Mitchell Suicide Forum

3AW SPECIAL: Neil Mitchell held a mental health / suicide forum. The commercial-free segment includes Neil Mitchell hosting discussion between Michael Carr Gregg, Adolescant Pyschologist, Professor Pat McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health and Tom Harkin, Youth Worker with the Reach Foundation.