A young Southland dairy farmer feels like his social circle has been ripped away after his firearms licence was lost after he sought mental health help.

Benjamin Devery-Thomas sought medical help in February and after being diagnosed with depression, a month later his firearms licence was revoked by police. Now he is questioning why the policing process doesn't allow for firearm suspension.

The 22 year-old was previously an avid hunter and a member of six different gun clubs, where he maintained friendships outside the dairy industry he works in. The removal of his firearms licence means his membership to the clubs, and as a result the friendships he has made, have come under pressure, with four of the six groups blocking his involvement.

"Truth be told the closest I came to suicide was the day I lost my licence. It wasn't because of the loss of the licence, it was because of the loss of the social group," he said.

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Standard New Zealand firearms licences are issued by the police. If police consider for any reason that someone is not a "fit and proper person" then they may revoke a firearms licence. Someone may be considered unfit to hold a licence if they have a criminal conviction or mental illness or if they are abusing drugs or alcohol or have been involved in domestic violence.

Police say they do not have the legislative ability to suspend licences, only to revoke them.

Devery-Thomas felt it was harsh to be treated in the same way as a criminal for having an illness, and believed that the fear of losing a firearms licence kept many other farmers from seeking help for mental health problems.

"And they wonder why farmers aren't going in and asking for help, it's because if they do that they can't go hunting with their mates."

He said he was already acting as a responsible gun owner, with his firearms locked in a safe at a friend's house. Once his depression became too much, he handed over the keys to the safe to a friend to ensure he did not have access, he said.

"You're being punished for going and asking for help."

Following a firearms licence being revoked, the person must surrender all firearms and their licence. Once the firearms licence had been revoked the owner must not be in possession of any type of firearm or air gun, even under the supervision of a licence holder.

The person has the right to apply to a district court judge to appeal the decision.

Devery-Thomas believed instead of outright revoking a firearms licence, police should instead allow for a six-month suspension followed by a review whether the person was "fit" to have their licence reinstated.

While disagreeing with the way firearms licenses are cancelled, he understood the need for people with mental health issues to be denied access to firearms.

"I understand that there is a risk to health and safety. I'm not saying people with depression should keep their firearms, I'm saying that farmers who have depression should not lose their social groups."

Socialising with friends and family was proved to help reduce suicide, he said.

Target Shooting Southland president Quinton Erskine believed in the case of treatable mental illnesses, suspension, rather than having a firearms licence revoked, would be a fairer option. However, he said a six-month suspension was too short, and thought a year-long suspension with a review would be a better fit.

He agreed with Devery-Thomas that the fear of losing a firearms licence could impede farmers from seeking help with mental health issues. Sometimes a firearms licence was required in rural communities, he said.

"The mental health system for rural communities doesn't feel accessible. If there's something inhibiting people from seeking that help then some people certainly won't seek help."

While questions have arisen about the process of revoking firearms licences, police say there isn't much they can do.

Acting Superintendent Michael McIlraith said police were focused on the safety of people using firearms, and those around them.

"We want people to be safe and feel safe."

Police did not have legislative ability to suspend licences, only to revoke them, he said.

The Mental Health Foundation declined to comment on individual cases.

WHERE TO GET HELP

* Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354

* Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757

* Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116

* Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666

* Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

* Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

* 0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.

* Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.

* Your local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)

* Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.

For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).