MPHN chief executive officer Melissa Neal said the festive season is meant to be a time of joy and connecting with loved ones, but for some it can be a time of stress, anxiety, disappointment, or loneliness.

“Feeling alone or missing someone close is never easy, but remember to reach out and talk to the people in your life and let them know how you’re feeling,” Ms Neal said.

The Leeton community is a LifeSpan trial site.

LifeSpan is about the community working together to prevent suicides by implementing the strategies that work and helping people in the local community to be better informed and connected.

“With estimates suggesting this new approach may be able to prevent 20 per cent of suicide deaths and 30 per cent of suicide attempts, this is an exciting opportunity to have a significant and sustainable impact on suicide in the region,” Ms Neal said.

“The Leeton community will benefit from the intensive research being undertaken as it will help us identify what is happening and what works locally, and where we need further improvements.

“We are committed to working with you to reduce suicide – by doing what works and being collaborative, supportive and accountable.”

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Many people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts communicate distress through their words or actions, but these warning signs may be missed or misinterpreted.

Training can provide the knowledge and skills to identify warning signs someone may be suicidal, talk to them about suicidal thoughts and connect them with professional care.

Question Persuade Refer suicide prevention training (QPR), which is free for individuals in the Murrumbidgee, is a one hour online community capacity building program that increases knowledge, understanding and confidence in talking about, and responding to, a person who may be suicidal.

More information about LifeSpan Murrumbidgee and QPR training can be found at lifespanmurrumbidgee.org.au, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.