It is also a personal one for local cinema chain Majestic Cinemas.

CEO of Majestic Cinemas Kieren Dell tragically lost his daughter Maddy to suicide last year.

During a time in which most people in our community, and around the world, are dealing with increased emotional strain due to the pandemic, Mr Dell is reaching out to help those who are struggling.

The inaugural Reach for Help Week will run from September 23 to 29, with Majestic Cinemas donating $1 from every movie ticket sold to Suicide Prevention Australia.

"We pride ourselves on sticking up our hand to support a variety of causes in all our local areas via our cinemas, and we have done so for many years," Mr Dell said.

"After being touched personally by the grief of a suicide, I knew we could do more, especially at a time where we are all feeling the stresses and strains of lockdowns."

Related content: Lifeline Mid Coast to offer national crisis support 24/7 from September

Reach for Help Week will now be an annual event held to honour Maddy and other members of the community who have lost loved ones to suicide.

"This will be in hope that we can help prevent it from happening in the future," Mr Dell said.

The event is taking place during the September school holidays, with Majestic Cinemas hoping this will help raise significant funds for the organisation and the important work they do.

"Whilst our business is a place of entertainment, it can also be a place of education and we can use our voice to inform our local communities of the support services that are available to them," Mr Dell said.

"The school holidays always bring out extra moviegoers and the fact it is also the anniversary of losing our Maddy, it's fitting that we can commemorate her life, raise funds and educate others to Reach for Help all at the same time."

The funds raised over the next week will go to Suicide Prevention Australia and will help to ensure the charity is adequately resourced and meets the needs of people at risk of suicide.

Funding will be used for further research and improving the standard of suicide prevention programs.

The community is encouraged to visit the cinema over the next week and support this important initiative, while also enjoying some of the great movies on offer on the big screen.

The pressures of the pandemic have seen a higher number of people experiencing depression. Lifeline recorded its highest number of calls on August 19, with 3,505 people reaching out for help.

The high number of Australians calling support services is a reminder that this is a physical and mental health pandemic, Lifeline Australia chair John Brogden said.

"In the same period two years ago we were averaging under 2,500 calls, our new record is almost 40 per cent higher," he said.

"We've seen demand grow 20 per cent since 2019 and it continues to ramp up. Six of Lifeline's 10 busiest days on record occurred just last month."

If you, or someone you know needs help, the following services offer over the phone and online support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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