More Aussies Called Lifeline In 2015 Than Ever Before, But That’s A Good Thing

Asking for help can be difficult.

(Yes, even in totally insignificant situations, like when you know there’s ice cream in the fridge, just waiting to be eaten, but getting it would require standing up and walking. The laziest of us learn to go without.)

So, it’s heartening to learn that Australians are getting better at reaching out and asking for help in dealing with mental health issues. That’s according to newly released data from crisis support service Lifeline.

The 24-hour helpline today revealed that in 2015 they received more than one million calls for help; that’s the biggest number of annual calls in the organisation’s 52-year history.

Between September and December – the ‘holidays’ – Lifeline received the most calls ever in a four-month period.

Although those figures might initially sound as if more Australians than ever are facing mental health issues, Lifeline Australia chief executive officer Pete Shmigel believes it’s actually the result of increased awareness of such issues; issues that many might have tried to simply ignore in years past.

(Considering 20 per cent of Australian adults are affected by some form of mental illness, increased action on the part of those needing assistance can only be considered a good thing.)

Speaking with the ABC, Shmigel elaborated: "With every article that's published on the Internet, people get a little bit more confident perhaps and a little competent about talking about their mental health concerns.”

However, Shmigel believes that the Internet might also be a contributing factor in a more negative sense.

"Australians spend upwards of 10 and 12 hours a day on average online nowadays," he said.

"They have three digital devices and sometimes that technology, as great as it is, can also enhance our feelings of loneliness, our feelings of isolation.

"That sense of, 'am I the only unhappy person on Facebook?'"

While we mull that over, Lifeline prepares for a busy 2016 by considering new technological solutions for answering the increased calls for help, such as text messaging.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as the following organisations:

Beyond Blue

Headspace