The Whanganui Region's high suicide rate - especially in rural places - is worrying, Whanganui District Health Board mental health service associate nursing director Jeff Hammond says.
Suicide expert Dr Annette Beautrais gave a workshop about prevention in Marton last month, and will return to the region later this year.
Across New Zealand there are 11 deaths by suicide a week. The most at-risk are Maori people aged 15 to 24, men aged 25 to 64 and people with mental health problems and addictions.
Suicide has been a taboo subject, Mr Hammond said, but society is changing and people are getting more open about their feelings.
Campaigns by comedian Mike King and former All Black Sir John Kirwan are helping the change.