PROJECTS & PARTNERSHIP NEWS
Prime Super and Lifeline - supporting the community
Prime Super have recently revised their involvement and support of Lifeline, by becoming a sponsor of the Lifeline Information Service. The Lifeline Information Service (previously called Just ask) provides information and referral for people with mental health concerns and easy access to self-help resources.
Prime Super is Australia’s largest not-for-profit superannuation fund, dedicated to serving rural and regional Australians. They recognise that many people around the country are facing difficulties such as isolation, limited access to resources and drought.
Prime Super and Lifeline are committed to working together to support these individuals and their communities. You can visit the Lifeline Information Service online at our website.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Introducing suicide intervention and skills training to Singapore
LivingWorks Australia – a suicide prevention scheme offered by Lifeline - is in the process of building key working relationships and creating an increased presence in Singapore.
In Singapore there is a great deal of stigma around suicide, which has meant that few support networks have been provided for those affected by suicide. There has also been limited access to training in areas of suicide prevention and intervention. There is now an increasing interest and demand for the provision of information and training for Singaporean individuals in care-giving roles.
Over the past 12 months, two Australian LivingWorks trainers have traveled to Singapore to deliver Applied Suicide Intervention and Skills Training (ASIST) workshops to law enforcement agencies. Many of the participants in these workshops had never talked openly about suicide or been given the opportunity to learn about it, even though almost all of them had extensive experience in dealing with suicide at both a personal and professional level.
While the initial focus of training programs in Singapore is on the Police force and related professions, there is currently an open dialogue with key stakeholders about the provision of training to staff at hospitals, universities, churches, the military and mental health services. To see the way in which these training programs can be adapted across cultures and professions, is a great testament to the quality and flexibility of the LivingWorks programs.
If you would like to know more about the training offered by LivingWorks in Australia visit: www.lifeline.org.au/livingworks.
TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
1000 + responses to new volunteer recruitment campaign
Lifeline Australia has been very pleased with the response to a new national volunteer recruitment campaign that was launched in early May. To date there have been more than one thousand inquiries made directly to Lifeline Australia from individuals interested in volunteering. Other potential volunteers have also made direct contact with their local Lifeline Centres. Due to the relative success of the campaign and Lifeline’s increasing requirement for more dedicated volunteers, this campaign will continue until January 2008.
As part of the campaign, a TV advertisement about volunteering was launched and has been airing as a community service announcement on networks around the country.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering and would like to make a difference to others and yourself, you can call our new national recruitment line on 1800 880 681 or visit the volunteering section of our website for more information.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Lifeline reviews Community Services Training Package
Lifeline Australia has been given the opportunity to participate in a review of the Community Services Training Package – offered by the Industry Skills Council. Given our involvement and experience in training (as a Registered Training Organisation), we have been able to make recommendations to areas that relate to telephone counselling, suicide intervention, loss and grief, and suicide bereavement.
A review of this training package is taking place over a two year period. As part of an expert working group, Lifeline will be using its expertise in suicide intervention and telephone counselling, to ensure that the competencies for this training course reflect international best practice.
We are pleased to be involved in a process that promises to improve the quality of training offered to those wishing to undertake vocational education in areas that will benefit the community. Visit our website to find out more about Lifeline’s role in training and education.
OTHER NEWS
Keep an eye out for our new TV ads
Lifeline Australia currently has three new community service announcements running on television networks around the country. You may already have seen the advertisement for our volunteer Recruitment campaign, but you might like to keep an eye out for “The Human Race” (a suicide awareness ad) and our new rural help-seeking advertisement, featuring a soundtrack of Missy Higgins. We hope that these ads will raise awareness of Lifeline and encourage help-seeking and support. We would like to thank those media networks who have been running these ads. View the ads online at our media centre.
CEO Message
Winter is now well and truly upon us and it’s amazing how things such as weather, climate and the environment can really affect our mood and even our lives. Many people struggle in the winter months, and the gloomy weather can sometimes take a toll on us. It’s important to be aware of how this can affect individual happiness, health and emotional wellbeing. Of course, for those Australians that are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important that action be taken to maintain wellbeing and to seek professional support. beyondblue has great information if you think you might be experiencing these symptoms see www.beyondblue.org.au
It has been suggested that one way to beat the winter blues, is to exercise and get out into the sun. A number of our supporters have taken this one step further by registering to run in the City to Surf to raise funds for Lifeline. The race is being held in Sydney this Sunday 12 August, and I will be running on behalf of Lifeline also. Perhaps you too can think of a way to support Lifeline this winter.
Every contribution helps Australians in need
Your contribution can help Lifeline answer more calls on the 13 11 14 service, help Australians at risk of suicide, or provide individuals in remote communities with access to support services. You decide how much to donate and where your contribution goes. You can donate online using our simple form or phone 1800 800 768.
LIFELINE
CENTRE IN PROFILE
Lifeline Darling Downs and South West QLD
Location: Toowoomba, QLD
Years in Operation: 32 years
Number of Staff: 115 EFT
Number of Volunteers: 510
Services Offered Include: 24 hour telephone counselling, community development programs, family support programs, financial counselling, gambling help, emergency relief services, rural support programs, face-to-face counselling, youth support coordinator program, men and relationships program, migrant and refugee settlement grant program and many more community specific services.
Website: www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au
LIFELINE IN BRIEF
Calls taken on 13 11 14 in July 2007 : Approx 43,844
Total calls taken on 13 11 14 in 2007 (Jan-Jul): Approx 270,853
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