Lifeline Narrm, named in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, launched on Thursday 9 March as an urgent action to address crisis support and suicide prevention for all Victorians and serve the residents of the Merri-bek to Manningham LGAs.
The paid and volunteer workforce will be recruited locally from the outer eastern area and will service Melbourne’s inner city and eastern suburbs including Croydon, Chirnside Park, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Richmond, Hawthorn and Glen Iris.
Overseen by Lifeline Canberra following their experience in responding and managing crisis calls during and post pandemic, Lifeline Narrm will increase service delivery and answer more calls from Victorians in crisis, following the impact of the pandemic and the floods.
Within the Lifeline Narrm geography of Merri-bek to Manningham alone, three people are reported to die by suicide each week. During the pandemic, Victorians accounted for more than 30 per cent of all national calls to Lifeline (13 11 14), despite Victoria representing just 26 per cent of the Australian population. The recent flood crisis prompted unprecedented demand for crisis support, with Lifeline receiving on average 3200 calls per day.
Chief executive officer of Lifeline Canberra and Lifeline Narrm, Carrie Leeson said the alarming statistics prompted the need for a greater focus on increasing crisis support training programs amongst the Melbourne community to support those struggling with mental health.
“Lifeline receives a call every 30 seconds and during the recent two-year pandemic, just four per cent were answered in Victoria. Lifeline Narrm will strengthen the support available to Victorians by providing community volunteers the necessary tools to answer calls and manage the mounting crisis by alleviating the pressure on the current services available.”
Every year more than 65,000 Australians attempt suicide. Currently, nine Australians die by suicide each day and 75 per cent of those that take their own life are men. The impact of suicide is significant with more than 135 people, including family members, work colleagues, friends and first responders, affected by each life lost to suicide.
For more information about Lifeline Narrm and to enquire about taking part in crisis support training, visit lifelinenarrm.org.au
