Lifeline last week launched a 24/7 crisis text service to expand its support for Australians struggling with the challenges of COVID-19.
The expansion was supported with $1.5m in Federal Government funding,
Australians are reaching out to Lifeline’s crisis support and suicide prevention services in record numbers, hitting over 3700 calls in one day last month.
The Lifeline Crisis Support Text Service is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via confidential text message to 0477 131 114.
Following a few questions via text, Australians are connected to a trained Lifeline crisis supporter.
Lifeline received a record 1070, 860 calls from Australians in crisis in 2021 but managed to increase its average call answer rate to 90.4%. In the same time period, the service also responded to 51,265 text conversations.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said Lifeline’s 24/7 text service was an important expansion of the vital service the charity provides in crisis support and suicide prevention.
