Every 32 seconds someone’s loved one calls Lifeline.
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And every 32 seconds a volunteer, like the Border’s Jo Goodwin, picks up the call.
“It’s a privilege, an absolute privilege,” she said.
“The bravery and the resilience people can have is quite amazing.”
Telephone crisis support volunteer Ms Goodwin has been with Lifeline Albury-Wodonga since 2015 and is calling for others to step up and lend an ear.
She said volunteering allowed her to be there for people in their times of need, as she hoped someone would be there for her or her loved ones.
“It certainly gives you a new perspective on your own life and challenges, it gives you that greater view of what life is like for people, what is going on out there in the community,” she said.
Crisis support service coordinator Stacy Read said volunteers were absolutely vital and experience wasn’t required as they are trained and supported each shift.
“There was a study done about 18 months ago by Lifeline and the overwhelming feedback they received is that when a helpseeker calls Lifeline they want to speak to a volunteer,” she said.
“They don’t want to speak to a psychologist or a counsellor or a mental health worker, they want an average person just like them.”
Ms Read said an information session for new volunteers was being held on January 11.
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Ms Goodwin said Lifeline received a range of calls from those concerned about loved ones, to people experiencing loneliness, relationship troubles or mental illness.
“Everyone is individual and it really comes down to what is a crisis for them,” she said.
“You experience the power that just being able to sit and listen has, and the relief that it can give people.
“It seems extremely simple and in a way it is but sometimes it’s hard to give that to the people we love because we want to rush them along to a happy place.
“Often people need to be acknowledged for how they do feel in order for them to take steps to reach out for supports or see things a little bit differently.
“Really they have all the answers, sometimes we’re just there as a little bit of a springboard.”
Ms Goodwin said while anything new could be daunting, volunteers, like herself, were never thrown in the deep end and had constant support.
Ms Read said those interested could register for the January 11 information session at www.lifelinealburywodonga.org.au.
- If you need crisis support call 13 11 14
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