Some 2,866 people committed by suicide in the year to September 2016 and Lifeline Northern Rivers is taking up the challenge to answer more calls in the coming year to help prevent deaths.
Having answered 21,000 calls in 2017 they are looking for volunteers to provide extra response capacity at the peak times of early morning, evenings and weekends.
‘We are now actively recruiting volunteer crisis supporters to work on the 13 11 14 crisis line at those high demand times,’ said training coordinator, Sue Lamond.
‘Currently we have about 75 active crisis support volunteers working out of Lismore and we are looking to add about 15 more volunteers to that number in early 2018.’
The next training course will run from Tuesday 20 March with applications closing on Friday, March 2.
‘Lifeline offers a life-saving and life-changing alternative. It is always there for those confronting crisis and suicide, but also for those who trust us with their ongoing and often complex problems,’ continued Sue.
‘There are never any hoops to jump through or barriers to receiving help or judgements made – we provide a confidential and caring service and are only a phone call or online chat away.’
Training includes a significant element of on-line eLearning reinforced by eight four-hour sessions and four days of experiential classroom-based modules. This leads to a closely supervised and supported workplace training program which prepares the volunteer for acceptance as a probationary crisis support volunteer.
For more information email us at [email protected] or call on 6622 4133.
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