LIFELINE RECOMMITS TO SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS

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LIFELINE NORTHERN NSW

• Lifeline Northern NSW reopening their local Crisis Support Centre
• Recommitting to suicide prevention support for the Northern Rivers community
• Federal, State and Local Governments support

Lifeline will reopen their Crisis Support Centre in Lismore on Tuesday with a renewed commitment to support the local community after the effects of last year’s Northern NSW floods.

Like many businesses, organisations and individuals, Lifeline Northern NSW was severely impacted by the floods and have had to rebuild their Crisis Support Centre from the ground up over the last 18 months.

The centre, located in Conway Street Lismore, is home to Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support line, with over 58 volunteers answering calls to support people in crisis.

For much of 2022 calls were answered from onsite office caravans so Lifeline could continue their crisis support work.

The upgrade will see the centre have the capacity to double the number of crisis supporters on shift compared to pre-flood, increasing volunteers as a result, as well as growing broader engagement with the Northern Rivers community.

‘We are fully committed to our role in working across the Northern Rivers to create communities where mental health is prioritised and support is readily available for those who need it.” Lifeline’s General Manager in the region Michael Were said.

‘We also are reaffirming our commitment to suicide prevention which involves a dedicated and ongoing effort to reduce the incidence of suicide and providing support to individuals, their families, business and organisations across our region.”

Lifeline will reopen their Crisis Support Centre in Lismore on Tuesday with a renewed commitment to support the local community after the effects of last year’s Northern NSW floods.

Suicide prevention includes education and training, access to other mental health services, community involvement, research and evaluation and postvention support.

Local crisis supporter Pam Mathieson is excited for the centre reopening. “We have all been affected by last year’s devastating floods and it is great that we can re-establish our crisis support home and be able to continue to help local people.”

Federal Member for Page the Hon. Kevin Hogan MP, State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP and the Mayor of Lismore, Cr. Steve Krieg will all attend tomorrow’s reopening, along with Lifeline Australia CEO Colin Seery and Bundjalung Elder Uncle Gilbert Laurie.

Lifeline Northern NSW will also be showing Lifeline’s 60th Anniversary documentary to invited guests after the official reopening of the centre and be holding an information session for interested volunteer crisis supporters from midday.

Locals are invited to visit the centre to find out more information about becoming a crisis supporter from 12 noon tomorrow.

If you, or someone you know are feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to connect with Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable.

You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24/7), text 0477 131 114 (24/7) or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au (24/7).

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