Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald

Lifeline marks 60 years of being just a call away for Aussies in distress

One of Lifeline's Hunter crisis supporters, Ed Macindoe.

On March 16, 1963, Lifeline took its first call. For 60 years we've been there for Aussies in their darkest moments.

Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker OBE conceived Lifeline after taking a call from a distressed man who later took his own life. Determined not to let isolation and lack of support be the cause of more deaths, he launched what is now Lifeline's 24 hour 13 11 14 crisis support line. The Sydney centre took 100 calls that day and, 23 million calls later, the phone's haven't stopped ringing. The Hunter was only a couple of years behind, taking its first calls in Hamilton.

Lifeline's life-affirming mission to reduce stigma and reduce suicide hasn't changed. We have moved with the times; offering more services and ways to connect with us.

Nathan Juchau, Aaron Johansen and Rob Sams at Lifeline's Walk With Us.

We've never been needed more - receiving over 2.5 million contacts for help nationally each year. Lifeline is Australia's leading crisis support and suicide prevention organisation, providing support, self-help toolkits, mental health information and programs, training and advocacy. Our evidence-led approach is guided by the Lifeline Research Foundation. In the Hunter we offer free face to face and online counselling sessions and assist bereavement support groups too.

As well as being a Lifeline executive, I have the privilege of being a 13 11 14 crisis support volunteer. Across 41 centres nationally there are more than 4000 crisis support volunteers, including 50 in the Hunter. We answer a call every 30 seconds, siting along-side people, listening and offering hope, compassion and connection. Lifeline plays a central role in the lives of many people, increasing in recent years with natural disasters and COVID-19.

Setting off for Newcastle's Walk With Us.

Our message is that it's OK to not be OK all the time. Where you can; focus on today, connect with others and trust that small steps can lead to big changes.

It isn't always easy being there for others, which is why Lifeline provides extensive training, mentoring and supervision. Without the tremendous support of our volunteers along with our Lifeline shop volunteers, sponsors, donors, governments, community and business partners, and dedicated staff, we couldn't do what we do.

We need more local crisis supporters to meet the increase in calls since the start of the pandemic. If you can help or fund their training, get in touch at lifelinehunter.org.au or 1300 152 854. With your ongoing support, we'll be here for another 60 years.

Rob Sams is CEO of Lifeline Hunter and eight other Lifeline centres 

If you, or someone you know, are feeling overwhelmed contact Lifeline 24/7: phone 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Join the discussion in the comment section below.

Find out how to register or become a subscriber here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.