A suicide prevention plan for the eastern Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau was presented to the community on Thursday.
Town mayor Malcolm Campbell says between 2009 and 2011, five young adults from the town committed suicide.
The plan aims to provide a framework for the community and government agencies to work together to prevent suicide.
Marama Elliott has been personally affected by suicide and told those at the launch the plan should be a new beginning.
The guest speaker, Associate Minister for Health, Tariana Turia said the document is the first of its type to be set up by a community.
She said other communities could learn from the experience of Kawerau if they want to put a similar plan in place.
