In celebration of this year's National Missing Person's Week, the Australian Federal Police launches different ways to inspire people to participate in the event.

For this year's celebration, AFP has the tagline - "see the signs before they disappear" - calling on people to be observant of the first signs of mental illness as warning from those who are on the risk of going missing.

According to ADF, there are 35,000 people missing every year in Australia - that is equivalent of one person every 15 minutes. Approximately, 20,000 of those reported missing are under the age of 28.

The National Missing Person's Week was first celebrated back in 1988 inspired by the Tony Jones from Queensland who went missing in Townsville after being last seen hitchhiking to Mt Isa in 1982.

Word-first Ad Campaign on "Milk Cartons for the Digital Age"

In a report from The Australian, the ADF said that it will launch a world-first advertising campaign where on "pre-roll" of YouTube videos, a photograph and description of a particular missing person will be shown. Australians will then be asked if they know anything about any of those missing persons being shown. If the user clicks 'no' to say that they know nothing about that person, then they will be redirected to the YouTube video they originally intended to view; if the user clicks 'yes', he or she will then be directed to AFP website and will be ask to supply more information about the missing person.

Rebecca Kotz, AFP missing person's coordination team leader explained that, "This Google initiative is a milk carton for the new age. People are stuck watching these ads for five seconds. The voiceover says it takes five seconds to change a life. We're hoping that's enough to spark curiosity and appeal to the common good and persuade people to listen on or read on about a case. If they do have information they have the option to say yes I know something, people out there have information and don't realise how significant it is."

The digital agency VML senior art director David Jackson created the campaign for free. Mr Jackson said he got the concept after watching a missing person special on TV. He started brainstorming with the agency about what could be a milk cartons' modern counterpart.

Roberta MacDonald, spokeswoman for Google said that there were 30 missing persons profile to be included in the campaign.

Ms MacDonald said, "It's a sharable ad format so people can click to share it. All those faces will get to see the light again. If even there is one person to be found, it will have been worthwhile."

Adelaide

Meanwhile in Adelaide, AFP Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin called on family members and friends to be extra observant on those loved ones who were showing signs of struggling and at a risk of going missing.

Mr Colvin explained, "Research shows that one of the factors which may contribute to someone going missing is poor mental health and the impact that has on a person's ability to cope with life's challenges. The 2013 campaign aims to encourage people to look out for signs that someone going missing is poor mental health and the impact that has on person's ability to cope with life's challenges."

South Australian police Deputy Commissioner Grant Stevens added, "People suffering from a mental illness may go missing because they believe there is no alternative. We want to reassure anyone who is struggling to cope that they do have options and help is available."

Tasmania

In celebration of the National Missing Person's Week, Tasmania Police reported and remembered 110 people who were missing in July of 2013 and 129 in 2012.

The Tasmanian Police wanted people to focus on the link between mental health and missing persons.

Senior Constable Natalie McIntee said, "While most people are reported missing are located within two or three days, it is a traumatice time for all involved not knowing where their loved one is and whether they are safe. There are many issues that trigger people experiencing poor mental health to go missing. These can include opposing ideas with loved ones about how to address a mental health issue, uncertainty about who or how to ask for help or a sense that there are no alternatives but to go missing."

"This week is a reminder that if you know someone who you think may be struggling, take the time to check up on them, and let them know that support is available."