Mrs Appleby, a former chief executive of Lifeline Macarthur, is considered a pioneer in suicide prevention. She will run a free workshop about the difficult topic at the Campbelltown Catholic Club next week.

The Catherine Field resident said the Suicide Awareness Seminar would run through the misconceptions about suicide.

It would also explain warning signs, risk factors, prevention strategies and how to help a suicidal person.

``Most families say [after a loved one commits suicide] they didn't recognise any signs,'' she said.

``They wished in hindsight that they had known the signs and knew what to do to help their loved ones. That's the saddest thing. They're just so distressed. It's a terrible, sad death.''

Mrs Appleby said she had already received many registrations for the seminar. ``People will be encouraged that they can do something. I can safely say as I walk out of the Catholic Club we've possibly saved some lives. More people die by suicide than on our roads. It just doesn't happen to someone else it can happen within anyone's family.''

Some at the seminar will share experiences of losing a loved one to suicide.

``It doesn't matter how much experience you've got in the area when it's coming from a person who's really experienced it it's really helpful.''

She has received an Order of Australia Medal and she won Suicide Prevention Australia's Life Award in 2007.