Launched in Alexandra last week, the trust's focus will be on education, empowerment and support for people in communities working to reduce the impact of suicide, trust chairwoman Janice Millis, of Alexandra, says.
''This trust came about from locals telling us the best people to care for our families are locally based people who understand the needs of our local community,'' she said.
The group evolved after a series of meetings last year and this year in the wider Central Otago area on the topic of suicide prevention.
The meetings were arranged by Mrs Millis, who is a Central Otago funeral director, and Julie Duffy, of Alexandra, whose only child Craig took his life on December 20, 2012, the day after his 21st birthday.
Mrs Millis said the group had been carrying out sterling work under the banner of national organisation Casper (Community Action Suicide Education and Research) but the feedback from the community was that it wanted a group with a ''very local identity'' to address the issue.
''By working with the professional agencies, business leaders, community organisations and local communities, we believe we can make a difference to the trends of depression and suicide within families and communities.''
The trust wanted to ''get the message out there that it's OK to talk about suicide and OK to ask for help when you need it''.
Although the group's activities were mainly based in Central Otago at present, it planned to cover the wider region and was already fielding inquiries from groups in other towns and communities throughout Otago, Mrs Millis said.
The trust was working alongside Central Otago Life Matters, which was set up last year to form a district-wide strategy for suicide prevention.
Mrs Duffy has been appointed as the community co-ordinator for the trust and said her role was in being available as a contact point for families as well as arranging speakers at schools and public meetings to further educate people on suicide prevention.
''We encourage families and community members to seek support and information from whom and where they choose.
Peer support and connections with other families can be facilitated when requested, with a focus being on building a strong sense of belonging, participation and hope for those experiencing emotional distress.''
The other trustees, as well as Mrs Duffy, are Ian Kerrisk, Cam Dykes, Nic Norman and Kate Donaldson, all of Alexandra. They are supported by advisory trustees, Tony Gilbert, of Dunedin, Jay Scanlon, of Auckland, and Chris Blackford, of Queenstown.
Mr Kerrisk said the trust recognised suicide was a ''complex, multi-faceted issue and needs to be treated as such'' but aimed to enhance and strengthen what was already offered by groups such as Victim Support, the mental health service, the Life Matters group and other community groups.
The next function will involve comedian Mike King, from The Key To Life Charitable Trust, which also aims to create a greater awareness around suicide and mental health in New Zealand.
Mr King will speak to pupils at Dunstan High School and Maniototo Area School and will be guest speaker at an evening function, open to the public, on September 9 in Alexandra.
Where to seek help
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354
• Depression helpline (8am-midnight): 0800 111- 757
• Healthline: 0800 611-116
• Youthline: 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.org.nz
