Rural Outreach Counselling this month trained farmers in Downside, Collingullie, Mangoplah and Uranquinty to be "matekeepers": go-to members of the community who will lend an empathetic ear to those in need.

Among them was Coolamon farmer Wayne Lewis, who said he was always open for a yarn with anybody who is contemplating suicide.

The issue hits close to home for Mr Lewis, who recently tried to take his own life.

He said there was no one reason that drove him to suicide, rather a combination of prostate cancer, drought, bushfire, and a feeling of being abandoned by a government that kept rejecting all his grant applications.

"It made you feel a bit worthless," Mr Lewis said.

"Helen and I have worked hard all our life, but when it came time for the government to step up to the plate and give some of our taxes back there was always some stipulation that meant we couldn't qualify."

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He drove down to his farm fully intent on taking his own life, but was momentarily distracted when he saw one of his cows struck down with milk fever.

He took pity on the cow and called a vet to help nurse it back to health, and during that brief distraction he realised what he would be leaving behind: his wife, his four children, and his 13 grandchildren.

Mr Lewis said that was enough to snap him out of his "little hissy fit" and give him the strength to continue living.

Mr Lewis said he now feels indebted to the cow that saved his life, and he intends to pay back that debt by helping others in the same boat.

"She'll have a place on the farm until she dies," Mr Lewis said.

"If I can help someone else that is suicidal or has bad thoughts, I'll do whatever I can."

He said plenty of people in Coolamon were doing it tough, especially in recent years, and he is encouraging other people to look out for their mates.

"That bit of grey matter on top of your shoulders causes a hell of a lot of problems. It's a very harmful little thing, when not handled well," Mr Lewis said.

"If you can talk to somebody's problems, there's always some way of reconciling or sorting a problem out. You don't have to ask them about their mental health, you just have to say 'how ya going?'"

Rural Outreach counsellor Scott Harding said anybody can save a mate's life, provided they were willing to hold those difficult conversations.

"It doesn't have to be farmers. It can be sport coaches, teammates, teachers, baristas, anyone," Mr Harding said.

"The idea is to have someone in the local community who can recognise the warning signs of suicide, intervene, and save a life."

If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, you can call Accessline Murrumbidgee on 1800 800 944, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467.