At Lake Canobolas a group of people hit hardest by depression and suicide released balloons with heartfelt messages written on them into the air.

The simple act was a way of reaching out to departed loved ones and breaking down taboos around mental health issues.

Skynotes was organised by Benny Coghlan, who lost his brother Adric in 2015 after a battle with mental disorders.

Mr Coghlan said he began the tradition of writing notes on soon-to-be-airborne balloons to start a conversation about mental health.

“Mental health can’t be an elephant in the room,” Mr Coghlan said.

“It’s about encouraging people to talk about these issues: mental health, mental disorders, depression and anxiety.”

Joseph Hayden released a balloon and, having lost a friend to depression, said the message of communicating to combat mental illness was crucial.

“It hits home and it affects a lot of people,” Mr Hayden said.

“A lot of the focus in in picking yourself up and working through it, but half the solution is being able to talk about it.

“Talking about it openly and not playing it down, you’ve got to be able to say how it is.”

Birgit Loecker said seeing the balloons head into the sky was a moving moment.

“The balloons reminded me of life, friends help each other through life’s troubles,” Mrs Loecker said.

“It’s remembering that we can build friendships and we have to make friends to make the world a better place.”

Revealing he had battled depression himself, Mr Coghlan said there were many methods to combat it.

He encouraged families to be comfortable talking about mental health.

“There is someone or something that relies on you, pets, family or friends,” he said.

“Make sure you talk with your children, so when they come face to face with these issues they can cope with them.

“We have to start with our community, and our children and keep the message spreading like wildfire.”

One of the simple things Mr Coghlan hoped to encourage on Saturday was personal interaction.

“It’s no good to be sitting at home alone,” he said.