THE region\u2019s mental health and crisis telephone support service, Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee, has undergone a name change.<\/p>\n
From now on, the volunteer-run service will be known as Lifeline Loddon Mallee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board decided to change the local Lifeline centre\u2019s name from Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee to better identify the region and the communities we support with our critical suicide prevention services,\u201d said board chair Jan Boynton.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bendigo\u2019s Lifeline office received 18,000 calls in 2021, the same year Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed that 86 people in the Loddon Mallee region died by suicide.<\/p>\n
As part of the local response to ongoing challenges posed by mental health and wellbeing issues, there are plans to open a Mildura-based satellite office of Lifeline Loddon Mallee.<\/p>\n
In 2022 it\u2019s estimated that Lifeline will answer more than one million calls Australia-wide and executive officer Lisa Renato said the service was now more important than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you know someone who might be having a tough time, please reach out to them and encourage them to seek help,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy checking in, you are showing them that you care and that can truly make all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n