Lifeline partners with for-profit to fund calls and expand technology

Lifeline Australia has partnered with a for-profit to deliver critical mental health services to rural and regional Australians.

The Australian-owned Whites Rural announced the partnership with Lifeline would not only fund more calls but would also assist in exploring new technologies that would do more for people in crisis, particularly as severe weather conditions hit nationally.

Partnerships Manager at Lifeline Australia, Jessica Wood, said: “Lifeline are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Whites Rural as their charity partner. Their commitment to supporting Lifeline signifies a deeper, long-term commitment to the needs of rural Australia and for that we are incredibly grateful.”

Wood added that as Lifeline receives around one million requests for help, the Whites Rural partnership would ensure that the organisation could provide suicide prevention initiatives 24/7 and provide “connection and hope” to “ultimately save lives”.

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Whites Rural said it was important to them that they can provide the communities they work in with the support of leaders in suicide prevention.

This comes as UNICEF Australia releases ‘The Drought Report’ that found children and young people in drought ravaged New South Wales said they had to “grow up” as they are facing difficulty in balancing increased farm work with their education.

Senior Policy Advisor at UNICEF Australia, Oliver White, said: “While we have seen devastating flooding in north and north western Queensland, and terrible fires in Tasmania, it is easy to overlook the fact that vast swathes of inland Australia, and the people who live there, are still suffering through devastating prolonged drought.”

CEO of Whites Group, Michael Kelly, said: “Financial pressure and feelings of isolation are perennial concerns for many rural and regional Australians.

“Add to that the fluctuations in weather patterns causing flood, fire and drought and it becomes a real test for the resilience that people on the land are renowned for. It’s important for them to know that help is available and how to access that help.”