Lifeline’s crisis support hotline recorded a historic spike over the past 12 months, receiving the highest number of calls since the service began in 1963.
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The crisis support and suicide hotline volunteers answered more than 800,000 calls nationally in the year to June 30, with support workers on the South Coast talking 17,193 callers through tough times.
Lifeline Australia chief executive Jane Hayden thanked volunteers and contributors for servicing the growing number of callers.
‘‘I sincerely thank everybody who contributed to Lifeline over the past year – you have played a vital role in helping us take steps towards an Australia free of suicide,’’ Ms Hayden said.
‘‘With the number of calls answered by our telephone crisis supporters having nearly doubled in the last four years, ongoing community support will help Lifeline continue to answer more calls from Australians in crisis.’’
Lifeline South Coast executive director Grahame Gould said the increase in calls might not be a negative phenomenon.
‘‘People are more open to talking, people are dealing with all kinds of complicated situations that aren’t always working out for them,’’ he said.
‘‘We also have the capacity to receive more calls so the increase is not necessarily a negative thing.’’
Lifeline South Coast said members of the community could support its efforts through volunteering or shopping at Lifeline stores or its famous book fair.
Lifeline remains a confidential 24-hour service available to anyone on 13 11 14.