Written for Second Year University
Published in Precinct - Issue 1, 2006, pg.10/11
Call For Funding to Support Lifeline Service
Published in Precinct - Issue 1, 2006, pg.10/11
Call For Funding to Support Lifeline Service
A young woman sits on the floor of her bedroom. The bed beside her is cold, unmade. The last time she checked, the alarm clock told her it was a little after 2 am. But time has no meaning. She is alone and has never felt so helpless. Insomnia is a constant battle.
Reaching for the phone, she clings to a lifeline.
Sadly, this scene is only too common, as the incidence of mental illness is increasing in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 34 per cent of young people currently suffer from a mental disorder. Ten years ago, it was only 27 per cent.
Despite this increase, the NSW Government has refused to provide extra funding for the state’s only 24-hour telephone counselling service, four years after Lifeline’s application.
Instead of the $2.85 million that was initially requested, the Government will provide $500,000 over the course of two years. But these funds will not be directed to the service.
They will go towards a study to determine how the 15 Lifeline centres can form a nation-wide mental health crisis line.
Lifeline has been in operation for more than 40 years, with over 40 centres in Australia. It handles over 200,000 calls each year.
Depression and anxiety are as life-threatening as physical illnesses, yet less than half of those experiencing symptoms seek help. This is alarming in a country where depression is the leading cause of suicide.
Grahame Gould, Chair of Lifeline NSW, says the counselling service has become a vital part of the state’s social welfare and mental health network.
According to David Wooley, spokesperson for Lifeline, the need for telephone counselling is increasing by 15 per cent each year, and the service is struggling to meet the increased demand.
Lifeline’s number is advertised on television public service announcements, websites, and the after-hours messages of many government and non-government organisations. There has been a recent explosion in calls, with more coming in than operators can take.
Without urgent government funding, Lifeline has warned that it may have to shut down some of its support centres.
Each counsellor costs $1300 to train, and must complete an extensive 18-month training course.
Between 40 and 60 counsellors are available each day, but as more people continue to use Lifeline, this may not be enough.
“People needing help may not get help when they need it, people’s lives are at risk,” David Wooley says.
The service manages a range of needs, including grief counselling, coping with loss, relationship and family issues, and suicide prevention and support.
Lifeline CEO Dawn Smith says that telephone counsellors handle approximately 100 suicide related calls every day. This is approximately eight per cent of all calls made to Lifeline.
“While most people who consider suicide get through the crisis, those who suicide have a devastating impact on the people they leave behind. Families and friends often live with the impact for the rest of their lives,” she says.
Jodie Vella is one such friend. Three years ago, her friend Rob Aldersley killed himself, and Jodie still feels the pain.
Her eyes are fixed on the floor and her voice is soft. She says that she was unaware of the extent of her friend’s problems, and feels that if he had been able to talk to someone, there could have been a different outcome. She believes Lifeline should be accessible to those who need it.
“I think talking to Lifeline could help some people. Maybe not all, but even if it saves a few lives, it’s worth it,” she says.
“If Lifeline doesn’t receive the funding it needs, I suppose we can probably expect an increase in depression rates… and in suicide rates.”
David Wooley maintains that Lifeline has an important role to play in the management of mental health.
“In this world very few people are good listeners. We all have our own story to tell. That’s where Lifeline comes in,” he says.
Reaching for the phone, she clings to a lifeline.
Sadly, this scene is only too common, as the incidence of mental illness is increasing in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 34 per cent of young people currently suffer from a mental disorder. Ten years ago, it was only 27 per cent.
Despite this increase, the NSW Government has refused to provide extra funding for the state’s only 24-hour telephone counselling service, four years after Lifeline’s application.
Instead of the $2.85 million that was initially requested, the Government will provide $500,000 over the course of two years. But these funds will not be directed to the service.
They will go towards a study to determine how the 15 Lifeline centres can form a nation-wide mental health crisis line.
Lifeline has been in operation for more than 40 years, with over 40 centres in Australia. It handles over 200,000 calls each year.
Depression and anxiety are as life-threatening as physical illnesses, yet less than half of those experiencing symptoms seek help. This is alarming in a country where depression is the leading cause of suicide.
Grahame Gould, Chair of Lifeline NSW, says the counselling service has become a vital part of the state’s social welfare and mental health network.
According to David Wooley, spokesperson for Lifeline, the need for telephone counselling is increasing by 15 per cent each year, and the service is struggling to meet the increased demand.
Lifeline’s number is advertised on television public service announcements, websites, and the after-hours messages of many government and non-government organisations. There has been a recent explosion in calls, with more coming in than operators can take.
Without urgent government funding, Lifeline has warned that it may have to shut down some of its support centres.
Each counsellor costs $1300 to train, and must complete an extensive 18-month training course.
Between 40 and 60 counsellors are available each day, but as more people continue to use Lifeline, this may not be enough.
“People needing help may not get help when they need it, people’s lives are at risk,” David Wooley says.
The service manages a range of needs, including grief counselling, coping with loss, relationship and family issues, and suicide prevention and support.
Lifeline CEO Dawn Smith says that telephone counsellors handle approximately 100 suicide related calls every day. This is approximately eight per cent of all calls made to Lifeline.
“While most people who consider suicide get through the crisis, those who suicide have a devastating impact on the people they leave behind. Families and friends often live with the impact for the rest of their lives,” she says.
Jodie Vella is one such friend. Three years ago, her friend Rob Aldersley killed himself, and Jodie still feels the pain.
Her eyes are fixed on the floor and her voice is soft. She says that she was unaware of the extent of her friend’s problems, and feels that if he had been able to talk to someone, there could have been a different outcome. She believes Lifeline should be accessible to those who need it.
“I think talking to Lifeline could help some people. Maybe not all, but even if it saves a few lives, it’s worth it,” she says.
“If Lifeline doesn’t receive the funding it needs, I suppose we can probably expect an increase in depression rates… and in suicide rates.”
David Wooley maintains that Lifeline has an important role to play in the management of mental health.
“In this world very few people are good listeners. We all have our own story to tell. That’s where Lifeline comes in,” he says.
No comments:
Post a Comment