Rural Women New Zealand is planning another fund-raising drive to help people still stressed out by the Canterbury earthquakes.
The organisation says people in Canterbury are still suffering from post-traumatic stress, three years after the first big earthquake struck the region.
Rural Women's national councillor for Canterbury, Kerry Maw, says the latest statistics reveal an increased suicide rate in North Canterbury.
She says the stress suffered by former Christchurch residents forced to move into rural areas may be a factor in that, along with economic pressures among the farming community,
She says Government and community services need to keep support measures going for those people and Rural Women is aiming to play its part again.
At its annual meeting in Wellington in November the group will be launching a fundraising project to raise money for additional support counselling.
Ms Maw says the funding will top up what is available through Relationship Services. Current funding only provides for a six-session brief intervention.
"Often people who are experiencing deep stress and trauma need much more support than that."
