Lifeline has called on the state government to prioritise funding for suicide prevention after funding issues left the Bendigo centre unable to train new volunteers in the second half of last year.
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On his first visit to Bendigo, new Lifeline Australia CEO Peter Shmigel met with some of the city’s 60 dedicated volunteers.
Ms Shmigel said it was time for state governments to recognise suicide as a “national emergency” and act.
“We receive substantial funding from the federal government and the NSW government, but we do not receive substantial funding from any other state governments,” he said.
“When you look at calls to Lifeline, they're coming from Victoria as much as they are coming from every where else.”
Victorian Minister for Mental Health Matrin Foley was unavailable for comment, but according to the Department of Health and Human Services, Lifeline will receive $1.31 million this financial year to support its telephone counselling services in Victoria.
Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee CEO Leo Schulz said of that funding, $130,000 went to the Bendigo region – their main source of funds.
In contrast, last year the NSW state government announced it would give $10.5 million over four years to Lifeline.
“We would like to get to a point where Victoria is answering the number of calls that originate from Victoria – we answer about half,” Mr Schulz said.
“There is a deficit in Victoria, so NSW is propping us up.”
Mr Shmigel said he wasn’t blaming the government and Lifeline was grateful for the funding it received, but believed the state could play a more active role in reducing suicide.
“This is an issue that has lived in the shadows,” he said.
“We have to remove the shame from this, so it's not surprising that public policy is catching up in saying it is a priority.”
Mr Shmigel praised local volunteers, who gave him insight into the distress they encountered on the other side of the phone.
He said they observed a large jump in calls about the impact of social media on relationships, an increase in calls during drought, and more “third-party” callers concerned their friend or family member was suicidal.
“Social media is accelerating a lot of loneliness in our community … those feelings of isolation and loneliness,” he said.
“We have to do a better job of using the digital world to help the emotional world.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
