THE region’s Lifeline service has changed its name to “better identify the region” and the communities it supports.
Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee will now be known as Lifeline Loddon Mallee.
Chair Jan Boynton said the board decided to change the local Lifeline centre’s name to “better identify the region and the communities we support with our critical suicide prevention services”.
“Our local Lifeline has always provided the 13 11 14 crisis support for this region and beyond, and this name change allows us to build greater awareness across the breadth of the Loddon Mallee region,” she said.
Ms Boynton said that putting a focus on providing extended quality services to the whole Loddon Mallee was key to supporting the community.
“This includes delivery of vital training that builds resilience in communities, providing access to free counselling services and extending our 13 11 14 services with a new phone hub in Mildura opening soon,” she said.
Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed of 3144 suicides in 2021, 86 were in the Loddon Mallee region.
Executive officer Lisa Renato said intervention could save lives.
“We are committed to keeping up our momentum in all areas, including community services, aftercare and bereavement as well as finding new ways of working together within the sector to support people in suicidal distress or at risk of it,” she said.
The call centre in Bendigo answered more than 18,000 calls last year, with almost 80 volunteers providing much-needed crisis support to those in our community, when they need it.
Nationally, the service expects to respond to over one million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans each day for people experiencing suicidal ideation.
“If you know someone who might be having a tough time, please reach out to them and encourage them to seek help,” Ms Renato said.
“By checking in, you are showing them that you care and that can truly make all the difference.”
Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, operating the 13 11 14 telephone line within 41 centres around the nation as well as 24/7 text (0477 13 11 14) and 24/7 webchat at www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/
