According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, intentional self-harm is now the 13th leading cause of death in Australia.

Grand Pacific Health community educator Liz Doyle has helped organise a free suicide prevention training session in Eden, and is hoping the business community will embrace the new initiative.

“I think the concept is good, and it’s been well received,” Ms Doyle said.

There are hopes the town’s retailers will jump on board, partake in the training and upon completion place a Tree of Life sticker on their shopfronts, designating the space as somewhere approachable by those at risk.

“The idea is for people to be confident enough to ask people if they are okay,” she said.

The concept arose after a crisis meeting held in the town, following tragic suicides.

“So far it has been received well by service operators,” Ms Doyle said.

The free training is being run by Jennie Keioskie, from Southern NSW Local Health District’s Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Suicide Prevention Action Network chair Liz Seckold said the Eden program could expand to Bega and other communities.

“The message is if you are feeling down at all and depressed just speak to someone. Don’t keep it bottled up, speak to someone,” Ms Seckold said.

“It has a huge ripple effect through the community.

“I think the idea spreading to Bega would be a good thing and we would love a shopfront in Bega.”

SPAN has been placing “crisis cards” at places where the community congregate in towns across the Bega Valley.

“It has become a bigger problem than traffic accidents,” Ms Seckold said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available at any time

Lifeline 131 114

MensLine 1300 789 978

Beyondblue 1300 224 636