Canberra is a "city in crisis" where the suicide rate is increasing "dramatically", according to Lifeline.
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With suicide in the ACT now running at one per week, Lifeline Canberra CEO Carrie-Ann Leeson is calling on the ACT government to take a greater interest in preventing more deaths.
She suggests cuts to the public service are increasing stresses levels, resulting in more people taking their own lives.
Ms Leeson has gone public with her frustration over funding levels.
"I ask that you pause for a minute to reflect on the two lives lost in the last two weeks to suicide in the ACT," she says in her April newsletter.
"Suicide is very prevalent in our community … statistics indicate we are a city in crisis."
Earlier this year ACT government said Lifeline Canberra's funding had risen by 2.9 per cent in each of past two years.
Ms Leeson said on Tuesday the national figures show suicide is on the decline but is still the number one cause of deaths in young Australians.
"What that means is that most other states are in some way impacting on suicide rates - Canberra's are getting dramatically worse, year-on-year," she said.
The number of confirmed suicides in Canberra increased from 24 in 2012 to 37 in 2013 but Lifeline has been told the number has continued to increase in 2014 and 2015.
"It is getting worse and worse [in the ACT] and I would say dramatically so," Ms Leeson said.
The main reasons reported for suicide in Canberra were alcohol abuse, drug abuse and domestic violence.
"Canberra is unique in many senses - we've got the bulk of the public service here and we've had a number of job cuts," she said.
"Most people in Canberra we would anticipate are under pressure due to job cuts, so Canberra has got a few unique pressures.
"What we would like to see at Lifeline Canberra is a far bolder approach from government in this regard.
"We are the nation's capital, we should be thought leaders and leading by example but statistics are showing we are falling behind."
Ms Leeson said Lifeline Canberra received only 6 per cent of its funding from the government.
"We are a charity that relies on community support," she said.
Country music legend Lee Kernaghan will appear at Lifeline Canberra's next fundraising event, at the Australian War Memorial next month.
Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 131 114; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
