Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day last week, Lifeline South Coast chief executive officer Grahame Gould said if people suspected somebody they know was considering suicide then they should confront them.

"World Suicide Prevention Day is an extremely important day, it's an opportunity for us to think about how we can support those who have been affected by suicide, how we can help keep people psychologically healthy and most importantly how we can prevent suicide.

"There's a lot that people can do to help if they think somebody is considering suicide, the best thing you can do is to ask them straight up, say to them 'I've noticed you're acting different, are you considering killing yourself?'

"The reason you ask them the clear question like that is that they're more likely to talk about it. Then after you ask them that, you should ask them if they have a plan. The less detailed the plan the less likely they are to go through with it."

If somebody is considering suicide, Mr Gould said they should not be left alone.

"If someone is considering suicide one of the biggest things is to stay with them until you can get them to a GP or to the appropriate help," he said.

"The risk of somebody killing themselves is greatly reduced if they're with somebody, people are much less likely to kill themselves in front of somebody."

Lifeline operates a 24-hour crisis phone line and Mr Gould said the recent death of actor Robin Williams led to a spike in people contacting the service.

"The week after Robin Williams' death we had a 25 per cent increase in calls."

There are also ways people can help in a broader sense.

"We're always looking for people to volunteer in our Lifeline shops which allow us to raise money to improve the services we offer," Mr Gould said.

"There will also be another intake next year for people to work on the crisis line."

For more more information about volunteering with Lifeline call 4228 1311.

Lifeline's 24-hour crisis support line is 13 11 14.