Lifeline calls for 1 million signatures for suicide prevention
Share
Lifeline has launched an online campaign seeking a million signatures calling on the Federal Government to double funding to suicide prevention.
The petition follows the release of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing that 2864 people took their own lives in 2014 – almost 8 per day – which is an increase of almost 13.5 per cent from 2013.
Lifeline Australia CEO Pete Shmigel said that it is time for the Federal Government to acknowledge the growing national suicide emergency and provide adequate funding to support lifesaving services, research and initiatives taking place across the sector.
“We know the profound impact that suicide can have on individuals, families, friends and whole communities,” Shmigel said.
“In seeking a million signatures through this campaign, we want to empower everyday Australians to join together and take important steps towards the goal of stopping suicides.
“By sharing Lifeline’s online petition via social media or email, we have the opportunity to create a groundswell of support to show the government that we as a community care about this issue, we do not accept this needless loss of life and we want to do something about it.”
Shmigel also said that while Lifeline will receive more than a million calls to its 13 11 14 crisis line this year, the national charity does not have the resources to answer every call immediately.
“We are disappointed and even heartbroken when someone has to wait for extended periods as a result of our lack of resources, but my message to those people is to please hang on the line or try calling again later – you will get through. We greatly value the community’s support so we can answer every call at all times of day all year long.”
Wesley Mission Victoria CEO Paul Linossier called on Victoria to get behind the campaign, highlighting the importance of a whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention. Wesley Mission Victoria operates the Lifeline Melbourne service.
“We were surprised and saddened to learn that the suicide rate increased almost 13.5 per cent in 2014, especially considering the amount of suicide prevention work by Lifeline and other agencies,” Linossier said.
“Talking about suicide is one of the key steps to reducing deaths by suicide and we need more resources to give the whole community the confidence to have that conversation.”
