Surge in calls has Lifeline gearing up for a bumper end-of-year period

Words: Joseph Lam Producer: Louise Starkey

A surge of Australians reaching out to Lifeline for help throughout 2021 has the suicide prevention line gearing up for a bumper end-of-year period.

The crisis line received 1,074,473 calls across three hotlines between January 1 and December 14 — eight per cent higher than 2020 and a quarter more than pre-pandemic times in 2019.

Since July, Lifeline has had a 57 per cent increase in demand for text-based services.

"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. Over the past two years, many of us have been coping rather than thriving."

Colin Seery Lifeline chief executive

A majority of the calls were made to the main Lifeline helpline (13 11 14), which accounted for 957,655 contacts. The figure is 30,000 higher than 2019’s total across regular and crisis lines, but slightly lower than the 964,625 made in 2020. However, this is expected to change by the end of 2021.

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. Video: Lifeline Australia

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.

Lifeline is urging Australians to be kind to their friends and family as Christmas approaches, as well as to take time to plan how they might deal with the added stresses they face this time of year.

"It is really important that no one feels they have to face this holiday season alone. 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."

Colin Seery Lifeline chief executive

Video: Lifeline Australia Learn more