De Fontenay said it needed to ensure that when people take time to kōrero, it had the resources and choice of services necessary to help people be safe.
"And that means funding for more counsellors. We want people to call us to talk about what is going through their minds. We want to hear those complex calls and difficult thoughts, because we can help,"
She said it existed for anyone, any time, anywhere in New Zealand - for someone to kōrero with when there might not be anyone to talk to.
In the first week of the current lockdown, she said, Lifeline received about 8500 calls and texts, which rose to 8700 in week two, 10,900 in week three, 11,167 in week four.
In the fifth week, when most of the country moved to alert level 2, she said the numbers dropped to 10,713.
"We all need to be working together to address New Zealand's mental health issues. That includes supporting our frontline counsellors and volunteers. At Lifeline, we need funding to train more people, to take more calls and save more lives.
"Because the $50 you give may literally save the life of someone in your community."
To donate to Lifeline visit: https://www.lifeline.org.nz/donate
Looking for support? It's available
• Call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
• Call PlunketLine 24/7 on 0800 933 922
• Depression helpline: Freephone 0800 111 757
• Healthline: 0800 611 116 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone)
• Lifeline: 0800 543 35
• Sexual assault HELP 04 801 6655
