PROJECTS NEWS
New resources for men in rural communities
To coincide with World Mental Health Day on Wednesday 10 October Lifeline Australia announced the release of two new resources to help raise awareness of issues affecting men living in rural Australia and to promote help-seeking behaviours.
A new self help tool kit has been produced by the Lifeline Information Service entitled “Tool kit for men experiencing difficult times”. This tool kit is the latest in a series of similar self-help resources which have been produced on a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing topics.
A new Lifeline Calls Profile identifying statistics around men who call Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling line has also been developed. The new Profile also provides an insight into the issues faced by Australian men living in rural communities.
Australians living in rural and remote communities can often feel the burden of situations such as drought, isolation or financial insecurity. In addition to this, many men still find it hard to express their feelings or seek help. It’s important that everyone realises that they are not alone and that help is available.
Access the Lifeline Calls Profile: Help seeking behaviours in rural men
Access the Tool Kit for men experiencing difficult times
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Lifeline awarded for business and industry partnerships
Lifeline is pleased to announce that its community partnerships with the MTAA Super Fund and the National Rugby League One Community Program, were both recognised as part of the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFe Awards. The “readthesigns” project, which aims to promote positive attitudes and behaviours around mental health among MTAA Super Fund members and their families, won the LiFe Award for the Business & Industry category.
In addition to this the “Help a mate stay in the game” suicide awareness campaign - run cooperatively between Lifeline and the NRL One Community Program - also received an honorable mention in the same category.
Senator Mason with Dawn O'Neil (CEO) and Tracey Fox of Lifeline Australia
TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
National call flow implemented for 13 11 14
Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line has recently become more accessible to Australians in need, with the implementation of a new national call flow system. Calls to the 13 11 14 number will now flow nationally across 60 sites around the country. This means that more callers will have an opportunity of being answered on their first attempt, as all Lifeline sites will be scanned to find the next available telephone counsellor.
This is a world first in the application of IP telephony across so many sites and could not have been achieved without the dedicated work of Lifeline staff and volunteers all over Australia. While there is still a lot of work to be done in maintaining this new system and ensuring that everything is in working order, national call flow is a positive step towards increasing the accessibility to this vital support service.
Lifeline answers over 1200 call each day on the 24 hour telephone counselling line, from people needing emotional support. Find out more about this service on our website.
TRAINING & SERVICE DELIVERY
Lifeline continues its role as a Registered Training Organisation
Lifeline Australia has been a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) since 2002. This allows the Lifeline network of Centres to deliver national training programs such as a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills. The benefit of this is that people volunteering for Lifeline - in roles such as telephone counselling - are able to take advantage of professional, nationally accredited training programs, which can improve their skill and knowledge base. Lifeline Australia’s status as an RTO was recently reconfirmed which means that it can continue to offer accredited training until 2012.
EVENTS
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Workshop - Wednesday 21 November
Lifeline Australia will be hosting a workshop themed "Emotional Health and Wellbeing - A Holistic Approach" on Wednesday 21 November, at the Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in QLD.
Lifeline welcomes all interested individuals and groups to participate in this event, which is being run as a pre-conference workshop prior to the Lifeline Australia Conference (an annual conference of Lifeline staff). This event will be a combination of keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions focused on emotional health strategy from an academic, consumer and service provision perspective.
To register for this event download the registration form here or visit www.astmanagement.com.au/lifeline.
CEO Message
It seems like just the other day that I was writing for our first e-newsletter of the year, but now the end of the year is fast approaching. While we sit and ponder where the months have gone we should also consider the many achievements that have been made so far in 2007, both professionally and in our personal lives. For Lifeline the past two months have been a particularly busy time with our focus having been on issues such as the implementation of our national call flow project and launching a number of new resources which you will see featured in this newsletter.
It’s times like this when the challenges of working for a national not-for-profit organisation, that offers such essential services, reminds me of how fortunate we are to have such a skilled group of staff and dedicated volunteers who work so hard to keep our national services running. It also reminds me of how fortunate we are to have so many sponsors, partners and supporters who make our work possible. Thanks also to our enewsletter readers for your continued interest and support of Lifeline.
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 Greater Sunshine Coast Region
Location: Maroochydore , QLD
Years in Operation:25 years
Number of Staff: 133
Number of Volunteers: 490
Services Offered Include: 24 hour telephone counselling counselling, financial Counselling, Family Dispute Resolution Program, Men and Family Relationships Program, Youth Development Program, Community Support Program, various programs for the support of children and families, Training – Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling, Community Development, Mary Valley Support Program (Traveston Dam), Disaster Recovery Response, and more…
Website: http://www.lccq.org.au
SUBSCRIBE
You can subscribe or unsubscribe from our mailing list by using our subscription management page.
