Who we are

Lifeline’s Living History

Lifeline was founded in 1963 by the late Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker, after he received a call by a distressed man, who three days later took his own life. Determined not to let loneliness, isolation or anxiety be the cause of other deaths, Sir Alan launched a crisis line, which operated out of the Methodist Central Mission in Sydney.

Just a few days after it was first established, Lifeline received over one hundred calls for help.

Today, somewhere in Australia, there is a new call to Lifeline every minute and an average of over 450,000 calls are answered each year. We have also expanded our operations to include a number of programs that promote mental health, wellbeing and help seeking behaviours.

Lifeline’s services now operate from 60 locations nationally, with a presence in every State and Territory within Australia.

Lifeline is part of an international network, and through its affiliation with LifeLine International has Centres in nineteen countries. Lifeline is also a member of theVolunteer Emotional Support Helplines (VESH) network. This network of Volunteer Helplines provides services in 61 countries around the world.

Find out more about who we are and what we stand for:

CEO Message

Lifeline's National Board

Lifeline's Beliefs and Shared Values

Organisational Structure

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