Cooperative Business NZ is working alongside Lifeline Connect Training, an organisation born from Lifeline, to bring mental health and wellbeing training to a cohort of co-operatives in a Waikato/BOP pilot. Lifeline Connect Training is professional skill development for your people leaders and customer-facing team members to safely and confidently support customers, colleagues and the community. Your team members will learn how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing when engaged in client-facing work and speaking with clients under stress. Members based in Waikato/BOP or with branches in the region will hear from us soon with more details on this valuable pilot.
Lifeline Aotearoa is New Zealand’s longest-operating telephone helpline service providing people with someone to turn to when in distress.
Their mission is to reduce distress and save lives by providing trusted, effective, interactive and professional 24/7 helplines and collaborating with others to provide an accessible and effective crisis service. Lifeline works specifically to increase awareness and understanding of suicide prevention in New Zealand, reduce the associated stigma, and work with others to contribute positively to the health and social sector.
Lifeline’s helpline (0800 54 33 54) and text support service (4357) are free, confidential, and answered by a highly trained team of counsellors and volunteers. They assist with emotional issues, anxiety, depression, relationships, family problems, abuse, work, finances, and more.
Each month, Lifeline receives over 7,000 calls and 20,000 texts from people in crisis or distress, of all ages and all walks of life.
This year, Lifeline marks 60 years of providing a listening ear for people in distress. Support that has been vital for so many individuals and, by extension, their whānau and wider communities. Millions of lives have been touched through 60 years of listening and support.
What Lifeline callers say:
“It really made me feel like I’m not alone in this world and there are people that help… To have your support means so much to me you wouldn’t believe.”
“It felt like I could finally open up to someone… Thank you very much for listening when it has felt like no one has been there.”
“They have skillfully and compassionately shone a light when I’ve found myself in a space of darkness and despair.”
Lifeline receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations to continue providing this vital service. It costs Lifeline an average of $36 to answer each call received. Every contribution helps ensure Lifeline can continue its legacy of providing compassionate support for another 60 years and beyond!
Learn more about Lifeline and how you could help by watching the video below or donate by visiting www.lifeline.org.nz.
