Angels on telephones have got your back

Lifeline has received more than 1 million calls this year from Australians in need this year, in a nearly eight per cent jump between the first and second phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A busy few weeks ahead … Lifeline telephone crisis supporters at the Harbour to Hawkesbury response centre in Gordon, NSW. Picture: Jane Dempster

Lifeline has received more than one million calls this year from Australians in need, a nearly 8 per cent jump between the first and second phases of the pandemic.

Between January 1 and December 14 this year, the suicide prevention service received 1,074,473 calls across its three hotlines, almost a quarter more than in pre-pandemic times in 2019 and well up on last year.

This year’s figures, which are expected to grow over the Christmas holidays, already represent about an 8 per cent increase on 2020. Since July, the service has also seen a 57 per cent increase in demand for text-based services.

Lifeline chief executive Colin Seery said the high volume of people reaching out for help at this time of year could be a reflection of increased personal stressors in the community such as heightened financial pressures, increased family conflict, loneliness and isolation, or the grief of having lost a loved one.

“The holidays are not always a happy time – in fact, for many this time of year can be challenging and heighten feelings of isolation or loneliness,” he said. “Over the past two years, many of us have been coping rather than thriving.”

A majority of calls for help have been made to the main Lifeline helpline (13 11 14), which accounted for 957,655 contacts, a figure 30,000 higher than 2019’s total number of calls across regular and crisis lines. While last year’s total number of calls to Lifeline’s main line remain higher at 964,625, the not-for-profit expects that number will be exceeded before the end of the year.

Calls to Lifeline from hotspot areas such as The Gap in Sydney and phones strategically placed in high-risk areas such as bridges are up 15 per cent, with 2409 calls made so far compared to 2088 in 2020 and 1840 in 2019.

The national bushfire line (13 HELP) has also increased significantly with 114,409 calls made in 2021, up more than 30,000 from the 82,941 made in 2020 following the Black Summer bushfires.

September data from Lifeline suggests similar feelings of anxiety were experienced when the NSW government announced the state’s reopening plan. Lifeline experienced its highest volume of calls for the year over a six-day window, receiving 3641 on September 7, 3626 on September 6 and 3626 on September 12.

As Christmas nears, Lifeline is urging Australians to be kind to their friends and family and to take time to plan how they might deal with the added stresses they face this time of year. The end-of-year period is the busiest time of year for crisis volunteers amid the added pressures of buying gifts and seeing family.

Mr Seery said Australians should remember it’s OK to feel not OK and to be sure there would be a voice on the other end of the line when they need help.

“It is really important that no one feels they have to face this holiday season alone,” he said. “So, whether it’s 3am on Christmas Day, or 11pm New Year’s Eve, please know that Lifeline will be ready to listen and support you.”

Crisis response teams have predicted between a 5 and 6 per cent increase between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

It’s the season of giving.

At Lifeline, this means hundreds of Crisis Supporters giving their time to be there for people going through their darkest moments.

Donate now to support: https://t.co/fKmPddogwm

#ShineALight#SuicidePrevention#MentalHealthpic.twitter.com/pIF0raW2lr

— Lifeline (@LifelineAust) December 11, 2021

Need help? Lifeline is only a phone call away on 13 11 14