PROJECTS NEWS
Use of Lifeline Services by Indigenous Australians
A new project funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has allowed Lifeline Australia to research the use of Lifeline services by Indigenous Australians and to examine key issues for Indigenous callers on Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line. This research will help identify where Lifeline can improve services and access for Indigenous people wishing to seek telephone counselling support.
This research project has included extensive stakeholder research with both Indigenous and non Indigenous participants from within Lifeline and from Indigenous service providers. The research results will provide valuable insights about promoting and delivering Lifeline core services to Indigenous Australians, and a Lifeline Profile will be released in 2008 with the findings.
PARTNERSHIPS / SUPPORTER NEWS
INXS express their support for Lifeline
Australian musicians INXS have been working with Lifeline in order to raise awareness about emotional health. The band have come on board as Lifeline advocates to promote help-seeking with the theme “help a mate stay on key” – a message about looking out for yourself and those around you. This message and a link to Lifeline’s website were recently displayed online on the band’s Michael Hutchence tribute page. Jon Farriss of the band has written some inspirational words of support, which can be viewed on the Lifeline website.
INXS join two other high profile partners who have been helping Lifeline to promote positive help-seeking messages. The theme follows in the footsteps of the Rugby League’s One Community “Help a mate stay in the game” campaign, and Team Vodafone – Triple eight racing’s “Help a mate stay in the race” campaign.Visit the Advocates for Lifeline page
SUICIDE PREVENTION & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Staying safe, happy and emotionally healthy over Christmas
It’s Christmas time again - a time for family, friends, celebrations and giving. However it can also be a time of stress, loneliness and anxiety, and for some, a time of grief or crisis.
To ensure that you stay safe, happy and emotionally healthy over Christmas it’s important to be aware of your limitations and to recognise signs of that you may not be coping. It’s also important to be aware of others around you and to keep an eye out for friends, family members or colleagues that may need some help over the Christmas period.
Lifeline works hard to make Australians aware of the support options available to them, and to encourage help-seeking. Over the Christmas period, Lifeline Volunteer Telephone Counsellors will continue to take calls on 13 11 14, 24 hours a day. Lifeline Centres around the country will also continue to offer a range of services to support their local communities.
It’s good to be aware of what services are available for you and your friends, should you need to use them. Visit the Lifeline website for some tips on staying balanced over Christmas, as well as helpful resources and links.
EVENTS
Lifeline National Conference and Workshop
The Lifeline National Conference and Emotional Health and Wellbeing Workshops were held on the Gold Coast in QLD from 21 to 23 November. Lifeline Centres from around the country were joined by representatives from a number of organisations working in areas such as health provision, crisis support and mental health services. The event included a line up of inspiring expert speakers, including international guest speaker Joy Field of the Samaritans (UK & ROI). Events such as these enable Lifeline to discuss topics such as community needs, service provision, training and fundraising, and to plan for the future in order to continue meeting the needs of the Australian community.
From all the staff at Lifeline Australia we wish you a safe and happy Christmas!
CEO Message
As the countdown to Christmas begins and many of us take leave to be with family and to relax and recharge, it is important to remember that many Australians will be doing it tough over the Christmas period. Our dedicated Lifeline telephone counsellors will continue to work 24/7 to provide support for those in crisis or needing emotional support.
The end of the year is also a time for reflection, to remember the achievements and challenges of the year, and to plan for the future. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, 2007 has been a year in which we’ve welcomed new partnerships, introduced important new services and improved access to our 13 11 14 service, to the benefit of Australians reaching out for help.
As we work through the last few weeks of this year, be it in our personal or professional lives, we should try to recall the positives for 2007 and to remember that each new year brings hope – for ourselves, our family and for those in need. Please consider supporting Lifeline this Christmas, so that we can continue providing hope and support to many more Australians in 2008.
What gift can you give for $1 this Christmas
Support Lifeline by sending a Lifeline Christmas eCard
This year instead of sending paper Christmas cards, you can support Lifeline by making an online donation of $1 to everyone on your Christmas card list. $1 might not seem like much, but this Christmas it will support Lifeline volunteers to answer calls on our 24 hour telephone counselling line, from other Australians who are isolated, distressed or who need emotional support over the Christmas/New Year period. To send an eCard simply visit the Lifeline website and follow the links from the banner.
LIFELINE
CENTRE IN PROFILE
Lifeline Central West
Location: Bathurst and locations across Central West NSW
Years in Operation: 27 years
Number of Staff: 6 EFT
Number of Volunteers: 82
Services Offered Include: 24 hour telephone counselling, face-to-face financial counselling, gambling counselling
SUBSCRIBE
You can subscribe or unsubscribe from our mailing list by using our subscription management page.
