Everyone should have somewhere to turn when the pressure builds
"You never know what someone's going through." - Wes
- Every day, nine people in Australia die by suicide.
- 3 in 4 of them are men.
- 30% to 50% of people who die by suicide do not seek help through the health or hospital systems, or at all.1
No one should have to carry their burdens alone. Please help Lifeline be here for everyone who needs us, no matter how, when or why they reach out.
1. Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Aging. Shifting the Focus: A national whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention in Australia. 2020
Everyone faces different challenges and carries different burdens. So often, it can look like everyone around us is fine, while they’re silently facing challenges we can’t see.
Right now, people across the country are struggling with the rapidly rising cost of living and the emotional impact of turbulent global events. Demand for our crisis support services is at record levels – but many people are struggling alone.
Some people are physically or socially isolated and have no one to talk to when they’re feeling distressed. Others may not feel able to share their feelings with friends or family. Or they may not want to add to someone else’s burdens, especially at a time when so many people are feeling increased pressure.
- Every day, nine people in Australia die by suicide.
- 3 in 4 of them are men.
- 30% to 50% of people who die by suicide do not seek help through the health or hospital systems, or at all.1
No one should have to carry their burdens alone. Please help Lifeline be here for everyone who needs us, no matter how, when or why they reach out.
1. Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Aging. Shifting the Focus: A national whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention in Australia. 2020
"I just kept shouldering more and more. Until I couldn't."
As a farmer in an area hit by relentless drought, Wes endured years of constant stress that took a devastating toll on his mental health and wellbeing. Bores drying up, precious livestock dying, debts mounting.
Wes grew up in a culture of stoicism, where people were expected to be strong and resilient no matter what life threw at them. So, when the pressure built, Wes thought he had nowhere to turn.
In April 2016, his burdens felt so heavy that Wes came very close to taking his life. Ultimately, he chose to live, but he continued to struggle alone with heavy burdens.
Then, unexpectedly, Wes found himself opening up about what was happening to him. It was, he says, “the hardest and the greatest thing I’ve ever done. My life altered forever”.
Wes discovered that day how connecting with others could relieve the pressure and help him find hope.
“More people, especially men, need to know that you’ve just got to let it all out before it crushes you,” he says. “If putting my story out there can stop one person from ending their life, it's worth it.”
With a tax-deductible gift today, you can help Lifeline be here for people, no matter what they're going through.
Help give more people instant access to the online support tools they need to navigate their wellbeing journey.
Help ensure crisis support services are available 24/7, so we can be here when someone urgently needs support and connection.
Help to ensure we can be here to offer more Australians connection, safety and hope.
Help Lifeline be here for everyone who needs us
Every 24 seconds, someone reaches out to Lifeline for crisis support
For Wes, “talking is the best way” to relieve the pressure, but many people feel more comfortable or safer accessing crisis support silently via text or chat. Others prefer to seek self-led support via our online Support Toolkit.
Gifts from people like you play a crucial role in helping to ensure Lifeline has the technology, resources and people necessary to deliver crisis support, self-led support, and counselling services around the clock.
With your crucial support, we can be here 24/7 for people across Australia, no matter how, when or why they need us.
