The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has provided Australian residents, such as those in Hume and Whittlesea, with better access to crisis support service Lifeline.
The RACV, in conjunction with NRMA insurance, provided $2 million in funding to Lifeline in order to better help people access life changing support by boosting services.
The funding enabled Lifeline to provide more than 8000 tele-health appointments to Australians in communities affected by droughts, bushfires, floods and COVID-19.
Lifeline also were able to provide training for up to 3000 people in communities across the country, with focus on residents who have regular contact with other community members in order to help them recognise signs of mental illness and provide assistance.
The organisation also received funding to extend the operating hours of it’s text service, allowing 24-hour contact for those in need for the first time.
Lifeline Regional General Manager Jason Doherty said the events of the last two years have really impacted Lifeline, with the organisation receiving on average more than 3000 calls per day.
“In any given day we are supporting people who might be dealing with crisis, loneliness, isolation or even suicide,” Mr Doherty said.
“With this support we have been able to expand our services to those who need it most.”
