Indigenous callers less lonely

Release date: 08 Oct 2008

New data released today has found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander callers to Lifeline are less lonely than non-Indigenous callers.

“We have undertaken an analysis of 121,000 calls to Lifeline,” Lifeline Australia CEO Dawn O’Neil said.  “Loneliness is a prominent issue for the general Lifeline caller, but for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, it is significantly less.

“Meanwhile, suicidality, or people at high risk of suicide, is higher amongst our Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander callers.  For us this is a priority issue.

“The amount of Indigenous people under the care of a psychiatrist was significantly lower than the non-Indigenous population, while more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were seeing a psychologist.

“We also found that the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse is much higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders calling Lifeline.”

For general issues related to mental health, families or relationship breakdown, indigenous and non Indigenous callers are on par.

”However, Indigenous people are experiencing a range of social, cultural and emotional issues.  Our data shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are experiencing higher levels of stigma, bullying, anger and harassment than the general population,” Ms O’Neil said.

Lifeline Australia is looking to establish a program for increasing awareness amongst Indigenous communities of their 24-hour crisis counselling service, as well as further training their counsellors to best assist Indigenous callers.

“We want to establish an advisory group, one that will consult closely with Indigenous Australians to better understand how we can provide a culturally sensitive service,” Ms O’Neil said.

“We need half a million dollars for this program, and we are calling on the community to get behind us and support this important initiative.  Lifeline relies on support from the public to continue to provide low cost or no cost services.”

For Telephone Counselling support contact Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 11 14 or visit the website for information and self help resources on Indigenous social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing www.lifeline.org.au or to make a donation.

Media Contact: Chris Wagner (ph: 02 6215 9446 or 0434 378 939)