Community reaches out in lockdown

THE announcement of a fifth lockdown a fortnight ago to contain the spread of COVID-19 brought back into place the rules and restrictions Victorians have become all too familiar with.

But for some in the community, it also brought feelings of anxiety, loneliness and dread.

This year, Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee has answered 2000 more calls than last from care seekers, or anonymous callers, looking for support in uncertain times.

“That’s been a massive, significant impact we’ve seen with the demand of people needing support and, more importantly, reaching out for support,” said executive officer of Lifeline CVM Lisa Renato.

“We’ve seen people reaching out more when they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious or just a bit lonely and isolated than we have before.

“For this fifth lockdown we saw significant increases in calls coming in and mainly people who just need to talk it out, people who feel themselves getting sucked into that inertia of the really severe lockdowns that all of Victoria experienced last year.

“The community has leaned on us more realising that we’re here just to listen. We provide a non-judgemental, framework-based approach.”

Lifeline CVM volunteers use the CARE framework with every call they answer to build a connection with care seekers, attend to their needs, reaffirm the matters discussed, and empower them to take the appropriate next steps at the end of the call.

“We really encourage people to reach out to us if they’re having a crisis, no matter what that looks like,” Ms Renato said.

These skills acquired by Lifeline CVM volunteers through their training can also be used in the wider community to provide support in more informal settings, according to Ms Renato.

“We do a lot of work in the community by providing training that creates a ripple effect,” she said.

“All of our volunteers receive training and not only are they helping the people who call in, they’re able to use those skills in the broader community with family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, mums in the school yard.”

If you are interested in becoming a Lifeline CVM volunteer or want to make a donation, visit lifelinecvm.org.au.

If you or somebody you know needs support, you can call Lifeline’s 24/7 hotline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. You can also visit beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 22 4636, and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.