Support for suicide prevention work

Monday, 31 January 2011 00:00

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

Shadow Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries today visited the Lifeline North West office in Tamworth and said a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will support the outstanding work Lifeline does in suicide prevention and counselling services by providing $2 million in annual recurrent funding.

"Lifeline does an outstanding job in preventing suicide and providing counselling services for people with financial, gambling and substance problems," Mr Humphries said after touring the Tamworth Lifeline facility with the Nationals candidate for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.

"A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will enshrine our support for this essential service and ensure each of the 15 Lifeline call centres in NSW, including this one in Tamworth, receive assistance," he said.

"The assistance from Labor is currently inadequate, piecemeal and is not granted on a recurrent basis."

Mr Anderson said the Lifeline office here in Tamworth does a fantastic job, delivering a 24-hour telephone counselling service to residents throughout the north-west region of NSW.

"Sadly, at over 550 deaths annually, NSW has the highest number of suicides in Australia, so it's important we do everything possible to drive down this number," Mr Anderson said.

"Lifeline North West desperately needs additional funding to support and train its counsellors to meet the growing demand for its services.

"For 16 years Labor has never properly supported Lifeline. We will change this legacy of neglect.

"Unlike the Keneally Labor Government, the NSW Liberals & Nationals are serious about addressing the mental health crisis gripping NSW.

"This increased funding will help Lifeline North West attract and retain more volunteers to man their phone lines and to pay for the rising costs of maintaining their operations."

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