PROJECTS NEWS
New Indigenous self-help resource released
The Lifeline Information Service in collaboration with the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service has released a new Indigenous self-help resource on Saturday 26 May, to coincide with National Sorry Day.
The Tool Kit for Coping with Sorrow, Loss & Grief provides helpful information for Aboriginal people who are coping with experiences such as the death of a loved one, the loss of something significant in their life, or the loss of family or community connections. This tool kit is the third in a series of self-help resources which has been developed with an indigenous focus.
When producing self-help materials such as this, it is important to consider that each audience is different and that mental health issues do vary across cultures, locations and by other demographics. This resource was developed in close consultation with the Indigenous community in the Illawarra area on the South Coast of NSW.
The Lifeline Information Service also provides access to a range of self-help resources on topics such as “beating the blues”, “helping someone at risk of suicide”, and “beating panic attacks”, along with other specialised mental health and wellbeing themes.
Anyone interested in accessing these free resources can download them from the Lifeline Information Service page at www.lifeline.org.au/infoservice or order a copy by phoning 1300 13 11 14 during business hours, Monday to Friday.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Lifeline and the NRL helping Australians stay in the game…
Lifeline Australia is pleased to report on a suicide prevention and help-seeking awareness campaign, that is being run as a joint initiative with the National Rugby League.
The “Help a mate stay in the game” campaign has been supported by the NRL’s One Community program during the NRL 2007 season. This campaign focuses on community and player education and encourages individuals to be aware of help-seeking options available for themselves and for their friends and family.
One Community and Lifeline have developed a series of postcards and posters which contain helpful information about suicide prevention, and encourage individuals to be available for their friends, to listen to their problems, and to seek help when it is needed.
With around 2000 deaths by suicide in Australia each year, and approximately 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health disorder at some stage in their lives, such as depression or anxiety, it is important that everyone is aware of what options are available to them, or a friend who might be in need.
To find out more about the NRL partnership or the Help a mate stay in the game campaign visit the NRL One Community website at www.rugbyleague.com.au/onecommunity or follow the links from the front page of the Lifeline website www.lifeline.org.au.
TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
Lifeline's National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
During May, Lifeline commenced its first national volunteer recruitment campaign. This campaign is now continuing as Lifeline endeavors to encourage more Australians to volunteer their time and skills to truly make a difference to their communities.
Every time a call is taken on the Lifeline 24 hour telephone counselling service, there is a trained volunteer telephone counsellor at the other end of the line - someone that can listen with compassion, guide a troubled caller through tough times and provide emotional support. To ensure that callers receive the attention and support they need, Lifeline needs to recruit more volunteers who are willing and able to train as telephone counsellors.
There are also a number of other opportunities to volunteer for Lifeline such as; working at a Lifeline retail outlet, helping out at a book fair, assisting with fundraising efforts or working in administration at a local Lifeline Centre. Every volunteer - no matter what their role - is a valued member of the Lifeline network.
Lifeline volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing different skills and experiences. Lifeline is always interested to hear from people who are willing to volunteer their time and skills, and who can make a commitment to our organisation and its values.
As part of the new volunteering campaign a new national number for information about volunteering has been established. If you have ever thought about becoming a volunteer or would like to know more call 1800 880 681.
LIFELINE INTERNATIONAL NEWS
IFOTES 2007 International Congress
The International Federation of Telephone Emergency Services (IFOTES) will be hosting a 2007 International Congress in Prato Italy from 11 to 15 July. The theme of this year’s congress will be “Emotional Health: A new consciousness.”
If you are interested in find out more about this congress or about IFOTES, visit www.ifotes.org
OTHER NEWS
Lifeline's New Look Website
If you are familiar with the Lifeline national website, you will have recently noticed some changes. A new look Lifeline website was placed on a live trial on Monday 7 May, and since that time we have received a great deal of feedback about the new format.
Our refreshed website addresses the need for Lifeline to tailor information to different audiences – not everyone is interested in Lifeline for the same reasons. Some people come to our website to find out about help and resources that are available to them, others come to show their support, while some may simply wish to find out more about who we are and what we do.
If you wish to provide feedback about the Lifeline website by telling us which sections you like to visit or what you would like to see more of, please contact us using our online contact form. The input of our supporters is always appreciated.
CEO Message
One of the great things about working with Lifeline is that it is a truly national organisation, with a presence in every state and territory across Australia. For me this means that we get to witness and be involved with a diverse range of issues, services, communities and individuals.
At Lifeline we embrace diversity in all forms, as we work with people from all beliefs, cultures and backgrounds. In this issue of our newsletter it is great for us to be able to demonstrate some of this diversity in action. This month we discuss the launch of our new Indigenous self-help resource, which is the result of considered consultation with the Illawarra Indigenous community. This collaboration shows that positive outcomes can be achieved when we examine the issue of mental health across cultures.
It is also exciting for us at Lifeline when we have the ability to reach a new audience with information about mental health and the services available to them. An example of this in recent times has been through our partnership with the National Rugby League, which has allowed some of our Lifeline Centres to distribute materials with important messages about help-seeking and suicide prevention.
We would also like to mention our national volunteer recruitment drive and once again to point out, that it is also our volunteers that bring diversity to our organisation – with over 10,000 volunteers from all walks of life, currently giving their time to Lifeline.
I would like to finish by encouraging you, as a supporter of Lifeline, to visit our new look national website. The new structure of this website also aims to embrace diversity and to cater for the different needs and interests of those who both support us or need our support.
Lifeline Bequests – Giving for the Future
A will is an important document that everyone needs to consider. Perhaps you have thought about making a bequest? By making a bequest to Lifeline Australia you will be helping Lifeline work towards a future where anyone can receive care and emotional support when they need it.
For more information about making a bequest to Lifeline visit the donations section of our website or call our donation line on 1800 800 768.
LIFELINE
CENTRE IN PROFILE
Lifeline Top End
Location: Darwin, Northern Territory
Years in Operation: 3 months (Lifeline’s newest Centre)
Number of Staff: 3.5 EFT
Number of Volunteers: 10
Services Offered: 24 hour telephone counselling – 13 11 14, Applied Suicide Intervention and Skills Training (ASIST), external training.
LIFELINE IN BRIEF
Calls taken on 13 11 14 in May 2007 : Approx 39,995
Total calls taken on 13 11 14 in 2007: Approx 185,992
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