Twenty-eight people were at the course, the Wesley Mission conducted, the biggest of its kind to be held in the city.

Castle Personnel Employment Services manager Charmaine Rogers said four staff from their Maitland and Cessnock offices were at the workshop.

“We learned how some things people say may be signs they may be in trouble and need help,” Ms Rogers said.

“We are more aware now and have identified tactics to help someone who may be contemplating suicide.

“We also heard how we should ask the hard questions – that it is not a taboo thing to ask someone if they are thinking about suicide.”

Among organisations at Thursday’s workshop were Samaritans, Hunter Valley Mental Health Services, St Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army, Wesley Mission and a social worker from the Department of Forensic Medicine.

“We are a training organisation and it was a very productive, four-hour workshop for us,” Ms Rogers said.

“Some statistics were also shocking; for instance, to learn that up to seven people a day take their own lives in Australia.

“But there are a lot of support services that can be accessed in Maitland too, services were we were not aware of.”

Wesley Mission’s Suicide Prevention Services training manager Mary McNamara said they were funded by the Department of Health to deliver the workshops throughout the country.

“These workshops are needed and the fact that 28 people registered for this one in Maitland shows that need,” she said.