UCA Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney

At Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney (LLMWS), our vision is an Australia free from suicide.Operating since 1978, our purpose is to empower and support individuals and communities tobe resilient and suicide safe across South West and Western Sydney. The services we offerinclude crisis support through our 13 11 14 phone line, financial counselling, suicidebereavement and aftercare support, training and the promoting of emotional health and wellbeing. Our organisation stretches across 15 local government areas and provides vital supportservices to approximately 2.5 million Australians, which accounts for nearly 10 per cent of theoverall population. To achieve our vision, we engage in activities that empower communitiesand individuals to be resilient and suicide safe. A key activity is crisis support through our 13 1114 phone line. The 13 11 14 crisis support line is staffed by accredited volunteers and isoperated 24/7.When a help seeker calls 13 11 14, our crisis supporters will listen to theirsituation, provide immediate support, help clarify options and choices, and provide referralinformation within the help seeker’s area. Another key initiative we provide is financialcounselling; a free, professional, and confidential service that assists those experiencingfinancial challenges. It is provided by accredited Financial Counsellors who help explore options,provide advocacy and support when dealing with creditors and assist with budgeting. We alsooffer training courses such as mental health and wellbeing first aid training, DV alert and inparticular, we conduct accredited crisis support worker training (CSWT) and our trainingdepartment is an integral part of our service offering. Other key activities include suicideprevention and bereavement support groups, and fundraising events, where every dollar raisedgoes towards saving lives.