National peak body, Suicide Prevention Australia, has revealed new research, which shows regional Australians impacted by suicide are more likely to experience multiple loses of family, friends and community members (67 per cent) compared to their city counterparts (60 per cent).

The findings also showed growing concerns the economy, jobs (+7 per cent), cost of living (+4 per cent) and drugs and alcohol use (+5 per cent) will increase suicide rates in the regions in the wake of COVID-19.

Four million regional Australians had been personally impacted by suicide, with 66 per cent of those living outside city limits.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network senior manager mental health and drug and alcohol Anita McRae was unfortunately these statistics painted a bleak, but correct picture.

"Suicide rates in the Murrumbidgee region are nearly double the overall NSW rate," she said.

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"Unfortunately, we know there are cohorts of people who have increased risks of suicide and some are more predominant in regional, rural and remote areas.

"Men living in rural and remote Australia are at greater risk and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also over represented in suicide rates."

The statistics also showed men are taking their lives at a greater rate than females, with about 6.4 males and two females per day dying by suicide.

"Men living in rural and remote Australia are at higher risk of suicide, men generally, regardless of where they live have a significantly higher risk of dying by suicide than females do," Ms McRae said.

"This is a well-known group of people at greater risk and who we are always trying to connect with regarding suicide prevention. We need to talk to the men in our lives and watch out for any warning signs that they aren't okay and be proactive and talk to them about it if you're concerned."

The Murrumbidgee PHN has recently announced a new group that is working together to ensure communities are aware of services and to support a timely and co-ordinated response for individuals and communities following a suicide or critical event in the region.

The Local Response Group is comprised of the Murrumbidgee PHN, Wellways Australia, the Riverina Police District and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

With mental health awareness growing, Ms McRae said there was also still work to do in this area.

"Mental health awareness has increased significantly over the years, which is fabulous,' she said.

"I think in regional communities it isn't as widely discussed as in metro centres, we need to change this. We always need to keep working at normalising people talking about mental health and accessing supports.

"We need to be able to identify when someone's struggling, be open and upfront and ask someone if they are okay and listen without judgement and if needed, help them to access the supports they need."

There are many services available for those wanting to seek help, as well as ways to manage mental health.

One of these is an online directory which includes information about different diagnosis and support groups. It can be found at www.mapmyrecovery.org.au.

The Murrumbidgee PHN also provides an online suicide prevention training program which is free to Murrumbidgee residents. It can be accessed here.

If you or someone you know are going through mental distress, please reach out and talk to someone: