Every single day 2600 calls for help are made to Lifeline Australia, many are answered by crisis supporters in the Central West.

In the lead-up to next month's training course to equip new volunteers with the skills needed to answer these calls, crisis support worker Greg Jeffree sat down to tell his story.

He was just 26 years old when he saw an ad on social media that Lifeline Central West needed more crisis supporters.

Mr Jeffree was already a musician, worked full-time in a car yard as a service adviser and said he was keen to give back to his community.

"For me it's a community that's important to me," he said.

Mr Jeffree admits straight up that his own battles with depression have helped give him empathy to do the role and listen to callers without judgement.

"You can relate to them straight away because we've had this shared experience," he said.

"Mental illness is deadly and suicide rates are higher than the road toll."

Calls to Lifeline can be from people who are lonely, depressed, suffering from anxiety, amid a personal crisis, victims of abuse, and sometimes, they are from people who are suicidal.

Before taking any calls for help for Lifeline, the volunteer crisis supporters are required to undertake intensive training.

In the lead-up to his first shift, Mr Jeffree said he was not nervous.

"I felt like I had empathy and that's what you need. I thought whatever they [the caller] throw at me I'll do my best," he said.

That first crisis call he took was from someone who was so desperately lonely that they called Lifeline for support.

"Loneliness is a bit of a crisis in some demographics," he said.

Mr Jeffree said some of the calls he has taken in the 18 months since he completed his training are what he describes as "pointy".

"Everyone's curious about the pointy calls, the ones where people are at imminent risk of suicide," he said.

Fortunately, those types of calls have been in the minority of what he has answered during his time in the role.

Lifeline promotes and encourages "self-care" among its volunteer crisis supporters and Mr Jeffree said he believes it is vital.

"It's the idea that you can't pour from an empty cup, that you can't take care of others if you're not taking care of yourself," he said.

For Mr Jeffree his "happy place" after a challenging shift of taking crisis calls is singing and playing guitar.

"Mostly I play solo, but I also play with my band Booty and the Ho-Fish," he said.

Lifeline's next crisis support training commences on the weekend of March 16-17 in Orange.

Lifeline Central West chief executive officer Stephanie Robinson said people from across the region are welcome to attend this initial training and then once qualified are welcome to volunteer at call centres in Bathurst, Dubbo or Orange.

People aged above 18 and from all walks of life are welcome and Ms Robinson encourages those who have "lived, loved and lost" to consider attending.

Find out more in an information session on Monday, March 4 at 6pm at Lifeline Orange, 17 William Street or call 1300 798 258.

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