Lifeline Hunter
Mental illness is something that touches all our lives in some way, but the experience can be even more challenging in rural and regional Australia where support services are often limited.
That’s why Glencore Coal has partnered with Lifeline Hunter to increase its capacity and minimise the number of phone calls that go unanswered.
The three-year partnership will see Glencore donate a total of $600,000 to Lifeline in NSW’s Hunter region, home to a number of our mining operations.
Patrick Calabria, Head of Corporate and Community Partnerships at Lifeline NSW, said his organisation identified an urgent need in the Hunter community.
“In 2024, Lifeline recorded eight of its busiest days ever, based on the number of calls to the 13 11 14 crisis line. We know the Hunter community deeply values this vital service and the rising demand highlights that more people than ever are reaching out for support in times of crisis. We want to make sure every caller, especially those from the Hunter, have their call for help answered,” said Patrick, based in the Hunter.
"Nationally, Lifeline receives over a million calls each year, with Lifeline Hunter answering around 11,000 of these from its Newcastle-based call centre. Locally we make a significate contribution, but unfortunately during peak periods some calls still go unanswered, leaving people in crisis unable to connect with a crisis supporter when they need help the most. Training more crisis supporters in the Hunter to help meet the growing service demand will make real difference.”
More calls to be answered
The joint project will see the training of an additional 54 crisis supporters in the region, allowing an extra 14,850 calls to be answered each year. This impact is particularly vital when you consider that the Hunter and surrounds has a suicide rate 25 per cent greater than the Australian average.
In addition to building capacity, the funding will allow Lifeline to provide a psychological safety program for the Hunter crisis support team, plus rapid response social media programs for local traumatic events, post-suicide support groups and a suite of community training packages designed to encourage people to help each other in times of crisis.
Lifeline truck tray at Glencore's Mt Owen Complex.
Supporting the cause
As a national charity, Lifeline relies on the support of people and organisations to continue addressing this demand, so there’s no need for people to face their darkest moments alone.
“Lifeline needs partners like Glencore to exist – we rely on corporate partnerships, donations and grants to be able to operate,” Patrick said.
“To have an organisation like Glencore that can support us across the service areas, help break down the stigma in communities and provide safer pathways for people to reach out is absolutely vital.”
Craig Strudwick, Social Performance Manager for Glencore Coal, said Glencore Coal is proud to partner with Lifeline.
“Our Community Investment program is about supporting the communities that host our operations and building the capacity of organisations like Lifeline to respond to the needs of the community,” Craig said.
“Training additional Crisis Supporters will help build Lifeline’s capacity to respond to the mental health wellbeing and suicide prevention needs of our communities in the Hunter region, and that’s something we can all be proud of.”