Lifeline extends to combat rising rate of suicides

Up to three people take their own lives each week across the state while nearly 10 die by suicide nationwide every day.

Suicide prevention organisation Lifeline Narrm will open its first crisis support centre on Thursday to help combat the issue.

It will service the Merribek to Manningham region to help the 360,000 Victorians who call Lifeline each year.

Lifeline Narrm chief executive Carrie Leeson said a call is received every 30 seconds nationally and many are from Victoria.

"Our telephone crisis support volunteers are community angels to all Victorians undergoing struggles in life - no matter how big or small," Ms Leeson said.

"They receive extensive training delivered by our highly skilled team, who are committed to providing 24/7 support."

She said 8.6 Australians die by suicide on average each day and it is important to grow the volunteer base to ensure Lifeline can help as many people as possible.

Deaths by suicide rose by nine per cent in Victoria from 2021 to 2022, which is the highest the state has seen in 23 years.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44.

There are currently 250 crisis support volunteers in Victoria, about half the number needed to meet community demand.

Nationally, Lifeline received a record 1,070,860 calls in 2021 with an average answer rate of about 90 per cent.

There were more than 26,000 searches for assistance and support in January across Australia, the highest number on record, according to data from Lifeline.

Lifeline Narrm was named in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and was first announced in March.

It provides services to Melbourne's inner city and eastern suburbs including Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Richmond, Hawthorn, Glen Iris, Croydon and Chirnside Park.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Australian Associated Press