Lifeline calls up 38% compared to last lockdown

Lifeline receives 38% more calls and texts compared to last year’s Level 4 lockdown

• Calls and texts up 40% on 2020; increase of 84% on 2019
• People struggle with lockdown fatigue
• Call for more financial support for Lifeline
• World Suicide Prevention Day Sept 10 highlights need

Crisis helpline Lifeline Aotearoa is seeing an increase in complex calls as well as a steady increase in overall calls and texts as lockdown continues in Auckland. Calls and texts are up almost 40% compared to level 4 lockdown in 2020, and up more than 80% compared to 2019.

Complex calls involve topics such as suicide, self-harm and risk to others—all valid feelings that get increased in times of intense stress.

Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow (Sept 10), which raises awareness of suicide and promotes preventative action, Lifeline is calling for urgent donations to enable more counsellors to be added to its frontline call centres.

“Our counsellors are talking to thousands of Kiwis who are finding this lockdown the toughest and struggling with lockdown fatigue,” says Lifeline operations manager Helena de Fontenay.

Helena de Fontenay says that during the first week of lockdown Lifeline received about 8500 calls and texts. This rose to 8700 in week two and then 10,900 last week, which is an 80% increase in demand compared to the average contacts made in 2019, before we had heard of Covid-19.

About 12.2% of these calls are complex compared to 3.7% during last year’s lockdown.

“Complex callers have higher levels of need and require more intensive support, which takes time to work through. Our team members at Lifeline are dedicated to ensuring there is good support and safe outcomes for those that call us for help.

“All this puts more pressure on our counsellors, of which some are taking back-to-back high-complexity calls,” says Helena de Fontenay.

“Lifeline receives no Government funding and desperately needs more donations to train more staff to help meet this increased demand.”

“Anecdotally, people are struggling with feelings of isolation and the inability to make changes during lockdown. For example, seeing a doctor is not as easy, self-care strategies are not as effective – you can’t use the gym, go for a swim or connect with friends.”

To donate to Lifeline visit: https://www.lifeline.org.nz/donate

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