Lifeline Wairarapa is concerned about a recent spate of suspected suicides and is urging people to pick up the phone.
Clinical manager Susan Wilton said a lack of communication and connection was part of the problem.
"I'm concerned the community are not recognising the depth of the problem we havewith suicide," Ms Wilton said.
She said she was saddened by what appeared to be an increasing lack of interpersonal communication skills, particularly with the rise in electronic communication.
"Facebook and texting are good for sharing facts," she said. "When you are face-to-face or talking on the phone, feelings and needs are understood more clearly without misunderstandings which can lead to our imaginations taking things out of context or out of proportion."
Lifeline is available for counselling 24/7 on 0800 LIFE LINE, which can be accessed from mobile phones and landlines, and regularly trains volunteers to manage situations in which people are talking about suicide.
Lifeline Wairarapa is also planning to touch base with other suicide prevention groups in Wairarapa, and will be looking at ways to share skills and resources.
There have been four suspected suicides in Wairarapa since August, and several attempted suicides.
