Labor has announced it would provide an additional $500,000 to Lifeline if it wins Saturday’s election.
Lifeline is Australia’s 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention service.
“This funding will help ensure that more Australians can get support from Lifeline when they need it,” said Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
“Last year Lifeline received 900,000 calls from people at risk of suicide. For many Australians, the call to Lifeline may have saved their life.”
Labor says that because of funding constraints, thousands of calls made to Lifeline go unanswered.
“Too many Australians are left dealing with the traumatic loss of a loved one,” Mr Shorten said.
“There are too many Australians suffering silently. We must do more to prevent suicide, and under Labor, we will.
“Somewhere in Australia there is a new call to Lifeline every minute. Lifeline staff and volunteers already do an amazing job supporting these people. Now their services will be available to more Australians in need.”
This commitment comes on top of Labor’s plan to support more young people with mental ill health through a new headspace Plus program for young people with moderate to complex mental health needs.
