Today marks 60 years since Lifeline opened its telephone lines for the first time.
Since 16 March 1963 Lifeline has provided Australians in crisis with a listening ear to be heard and a community-based network of support.
In that time Lifeline has built a network of 41 centres across the country, answered approximately 23 million calls and now receives a call from a help seeker every 30 seconds.
For 60 years Lifeline Australia has provided crisis support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or who are having difficulty coping or staying safe. It provides confidential one-to-one support with trained crisis supporters.
Lifeline Australia has become synonymous with suicide prevention, as the leading crisis support service for those in need. Its trusted service is now a critical component of Australia's suicide prevention framework.
Volunteers from across Australia have kept the lines of Lifeline open every hour of every day, allowing Lifeline to deliver on its mission to support Australians in times of crisis. Over Lifeline's 60 years, more than 100,000 volunteers have been trained as crisis supporters.
Last year, with support from the Australian Government, Lifeline launched 13YARN, a national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lifeline services are available at 13 11 14.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:
"We are incredibly proud of our strong collaboration with Lifeline Australia.
"Since 1963 Lifeline Australia has seen the introduction of the Australian dollar, the building of the Sydney Opera House, the creation of Medicare and the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It has been a constant in modern Australian life.
"Like so many important Australian charities, Lifeline Australia is supported by trusted volunteers right around the country.
"This 60-year anniversary is a celebration of Lifeline, and all those they have helped in their journey."
