Giving Day to provide more lifelines to the south west

RESIDENTS across Greater Geelong are encouraged to donate to this Lifeline Giving Day to help train crisis supporters.

Organisers of the annual giving day, on November 24, hope to raise enough money to train more than 100 crisis supporters to answer 13 11 14 calls.

General manager Jason Doherty said recruiting is urgently needed to meet increasing demand for support from people in all parts of the community.

“Calls are up more than 20 per cent as people navigate mental health challenges brought on by floods, COVID-19 and cost of living pressures,” Mr Doherty said.

“Many people don’t realise that local Lifeline centres rely on community donations and fundraising to keep services running. It costs $3,500 to train and support each crisis supporter. Each call to Lifeline costs around $39.

“With 100 more crisis supporters we could answer 25,000 more calls a year from people who we don’t want to feel alone when they’re going through dark moments.

“We don’t want people to suffer in silence. Our crisis supporters are here to listen without judgement and to offer hope. “Whatever donation people can spare will go to Lifeline’s local centre so we can answer every call.”

Local crisis worker Pam Callaly has been a crisis supporter for 18 months.

The Geelong resident and semi-retired mental health and aged care nurse wanted to do something with her spare time she was passionate about, and that includes doing one or two 13 11 14 four-hour shifts a week.

“The extensive training and ongoing support is excellent. You are never left to deal with anything by yourself and you can do shifts to fit around you,” Ms Callaly said.

“The training has given me skills to use in everyday life – really listening to people and having confidence to respond to different situations and conversations.

“If people have some time and space in their life, I’d encourage them to consider being a crisis supporter. You don’t need mental health sector experience or qualifications. You just need to be open to listening for what is really behind what people are saying.”

Ms Callaly and the region’s 50 other crisis supporters take a call every 30 seconds.

Nationally, Lifeline’s 4,000 crisis supporters will respond to more than one million calls for help this year.

To give visit www.lifelinedirect.org.au/geelongswv or get links from the Lifeline Geelong Facebook page.

Visit the site to also find out about becoming a crisis supporter or call 1300 152 854.