Lifeline Australia chairman John Brogden said the organisation was putting in place new measures to ensure the 13 11 14 phone line and text service would remain open even if Australia was forced into lock down.

He reported this week alone 23 per cent of callers to Lifeline wanted to discuss coronavirus.

"We want to reassure Australians if the government calls for a lock down in any or all of Australia, Lifeline is prepared and committed to being available to any person who needs us through the phoneline, text and online services," he said.

"This summer Lifeline received a sustained 10-15 per cent increase in calls as a result of the bushfires.

"Now with COVID-19 and the resulting enforced closures, financial stress, social isolation and concern about health, our calls are only expected to increase."

As the organisation marks its 57^th anniversary, Mr Brogden paid tribute to the 10,000 volunteers - "the backbone of Lifeline, who give their time to listen without judgement so they can help Australians hold on to hope and save lives".

Albury-Wodonga Lifeline recently embarked on a successful recruitment drive for crisis supporters with the result that 11 more volunteers started training last Saturday.

Crisis support service co-ordinator Stacy Read said the response to the February 8 information session at Albury had been fantastic with a second round of training planned for August.

Ms Read echoed Mr Brogden in emphasising the importance of staying connected during the climate of heightened uncertainty, stress and anxiety.

"One of the most important points is that if you are required to self-isolate that doesn't mean you are shut off from the rest of the world," she said.

"We are fortunate to have a lot of mediums with which to connect with others and keep informed."

Other self-care tips include ensuring information is sourced from a credible source and limiting news intake to maintain a healthy life balance.

Mr Brogden has called on Australians to look out for each other.

"The current social isolation policy means many of the important opportunities for people to connect with each other and do things they enjoy are being stopped," he said.

"For someone who is already struggling, this can be a huge blow.

"We are asking people to look out for those who may struggle through isolation, especially if they live on their own. "

Lifeline has suggested finding imaginative ways to keep connections - give someone a call, write them an email, put a note under their door, sing under their window.

"By reaching out to someone who may be struggling and letting them know you care, you can send a really powerful message of hope," Mr Brogden said.

MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS:

Established in 1963, Lifeline now receives up to 3000 calls a day - that's a call from an Australian in crisis every 30 seconds.

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