Lifeline Services

[Telephone Counselling Service]
[Financial Counselling Service]
[Problem Gamling Service]
[Training]

Telephone Counselling Service

Every hour of every day, trained volunteer telephone counselors are available to the community of Western Sydney, providing support through the difficult times. Our counselors provide skilled help to callers when the situation may feel overwhelming, and provide a non judgemental and accepting voice. People access the help line for many reasons, including relationship breakdown, suicidality, depression and anxiety, chemical and process addictions and bereavement.

Call

and speaked to a trained telephone counselor.

For further information about becoming a volunteer telephone counselor, call 02 9689 2860.

Financial Counselling Service

A recent report from USA advises that personal bankruptcies have risen 8.6% in the past year and consumer debt (excluding home loans) is at an all time high of $US13 trillion, up 11% in the last 2 years. The report from the Maryland Crisis Centre stated “more and more Americans are living lifestyles they cannot afford, using borrowed money. It’s not just credit cards ….. homes and cars are too big for people to afford.”

Australians use of credit has continued unabated, rising by more than 11% in the last 12 months. The flow on to this is that Bankruptcy and Debt Agreements grew by early 9% in the last financial year …. similar to the USA experience.

What does this all mean to Western Sydney residents?

Mike Young, Financial Counsellor with Lifeline Western Sydney reports that the number of people seeking assistance has increased significantly in the last 6 months. Causes of people’s financial problems vary, with the main factors being excessive use of credit, unemployment and relationship breakdown. Whilst often it can be a combination of these factors, the real cause can be attributed to people living a lie, living life styles they cannot afford.

Credit is so readily available …. Financiers continue to find new ways to entice consumers to borrow …. it’s their business …. and consumers are generally willing recipients!!

How do you call a halt!! … it starts with being in control …. able to say NO to offers of credit. Next, find out whether you are spending more than you earn … if you are, this can lead to you becoming overcommitted very quickly. Immediately put the knife to your expenses to ensure that you can live a lifestyle you can afford.

If you realise that you are overcommitted or need assistance in other money matters, see a financial counsellor who will work with you reviewing options available to assist resolve your problem.

Financial Counselling is a free service. To arrange an appointment call Lifeline on 02 9891 6212 between 9am and 5pm.

Problem Gambling Service

Lifeline Western Sydney Problem Gambling Counselling Service provides help for anyone affected by problem gambling, including the partners and families of gamblers. It is a free and confidential service funded by the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.

How do you tell if you or a member of your family has a problem with gambling?

• Do you gamble to escape worries or when you’re bored?
• Do you think of gambling as another way to get money to olve financial problems?
• Have you tried unsuccessfully to stop gambling?
• Do you gamble until the last dollar is gone?
• Have you ever lost time from work due to gambling?
• Have you ever borrowed or taken money to pay gambling debts?
• Are your family and friends trying to get you to stop gambling?
• Do you lie about the amount of time and money you spend gambling?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then the problems you are experiencing may be gambling related.

Lifeline Western Sydney has trained professionals, here to help you make positive changes in your life. One of the team is bilingual in Arabic, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages if needed. Business and after hours appointments are available, and a problem gambling support group runs on Thursday evenings. Lifeline Western Sydney also offers free and confidential financial counselling. For an appointment, telephone 02 9891 6212 during business hours.

Face to Face Counselling

Individual counseling is provided by Lifeline Western Sydney at minimal costs. Services are provided by professional counseling staff, and offer short term counseling for those experiencing personal issues and crisis. These services are also available during business hours and some evenings. Please call 02 9891 6212 to make an appointment now. Services are also available to people experiencing peri natal depression. A referral from your GP is required for this service.

Training

As well as the volunteer telephone counselor training courses, Lifeline Western Sydney also provides customised courses in Certificate 1V in Telephone Counselling, Certificate 1v in Workplace Assessment and Training, Suicide Prevention , the Accidental Counsellor and many others. Many community and government agencies now provide telephone support services, and out training programs are ideal for staff development and training. Courses can be tailor made for the particular needs of the organization. Contact Lifeline Western Sydney on 02 9689 2860 for further information.