Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull’s announcement today of an additional $33.8 million in funding over the next four years is a game changer for Australia’s leading suicide prevention service.
Chairman John Brogden said the increased funding would have a direct impact on the number of calls that Lifeline can answer.
“This massive funding boost will help us work towards being able to answer all our calls,” Mr Brogden said.
“This additional $33.8 million demonstrates strong leadership and commitment from the Turnbull Government.
“For 55 years Lifeline has been there for Australians in crisis and at risk of suicide. We applaud this significant commitment from the Government to ensure we can help save more lives and help more people find their path to recovery.
“With a call to Lifeline’s 24/7 13 11 14 crisis support line received every 30 seconds, this additional support will help ensure that no request for help goes unanswered. This year we will receive more than 920,000 calls. In total we will have over a million contacts over phones, online and face-to-face.
“Right now, we don’t have the resources to answer every call immediately, which is particularly heartbreaking when you consider the enormous strength and courage it takes for someone to reach out when they’re struggling.
“Our simple yet powerful offer of unconditional support has seen Lifeline grow to become part of our society’s fabric and over the coming years we will evolve through new technologies and ways of connecting to meet the needs of those most at risk in a highly responsive way.
“By improving and modernising the way that we manage the roughly one million contacts received each year, we have an opportunity to support people more quickly and, ultimately, save more lives.”
For 24/7 crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.
Chairman John Brogden
