HELPING LIFELINE HELP MORE AUSTRALIANS

The Morrison Government is investing an additional $52.3 million in funding for Lifeline Australia over four years from July 2022, in recognition of the critical support the service provides to Australians.

Combined with an extension of the annual funding of $15.5 million announced in the 2018-19 Budget, this takes the Morrison Government’s support for Lifeline’s core crisis service to $114.2 million over the next four years.

The new funding will help Lifeline to meet the growing level of demand for their support services, maintain and improve infrastructure and responsiveness, as well as investing in innovation in crisis response, surge capacity and models of care.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the additional $52.3 million in funding for Lifeline Australia would ensure millions more Australians, including in Barker would receive the help that they need, when they need it.

“All Lifeline Centres and services across Barker will benefit from this additional funding.”

“We are boosting our support once again to ensure that Lifeline can continue to be one of Australia’s most trusted, greatest supporters both now and in the future,” Mr Pasin said.

“This funding means that next year Lifeline will be able to take an extra 176,000 calls or texts from Australians, or up to 3,900 every day. By 2026, this will grow to an extra one million calls or texts from Australians every year.”

“The critical role that Lifeline plays has never been more evident than in these recent years. When Covid had many Australians, including here in Barker feeling like they were alone, Lifeline was there. When bushfires left many feeling helpless, Lifeline was there. Or, when any given day had many feeling like life was tough, Lifeline was there.”

“Lifeline is lifesaving, and that’s why our investment is so important.”

Lifeline South East (SA) Inc. CEO Leah Griffin said this Federal Budget prioritises the mental health needs of all Australians and acknowledges the strength of Lifeline in empowering communities to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope.

“It is absolutely essential that we ensure our services have the resources they need to help all Australians who need us. In ensuring that, this contribution from the Morrison Government will save lives.” Ms Griffin said.

“Lifeline South East is grateful for Tony Pasin’s advocacy work in the area of mental health and for the support he provides us in the work that we do.” Ms Griffin said.

The Morrison Government continues to invest in improving mental health outcomes for all Australians, investing a historic $2.3 billion in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan through the 2021-22 Budget to deliver significant reform of the mental health system and ensure that all Australians have access to high quality, person-centred care as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021–22 is at a record high of $6.5 billion.

–ENDS-