Lifeline needs help to continue its counselling services

Lifeline Aotearoa has launched a campaign in a bid to raise funds to keep providing counselling services for Kiwis in need.

The "Help Keep Lifeline Alive" features several of Lifeline's volunteers.

The helpline announced in June it only had enough funds to keep operating its free, 24/7 helplines until June 2017.

Established in 1964, Lifeline provides several counselling and suicide prevention services including 24-hour help lines for people in crisis.

Lifeline chief executive Jo Denvir said the organisation relied on highly-trained volunteers to be at the end of the phone for the 15,000 Kiwis who call Lifeline helplines every month.

"In telling the stories of those who give up their time to be involved in our service, we hope to raise awareness of the critical role we play for Kiwis in crisis.

"We also hope to motivate Kiwis to help us fight for our survival both through sharing our campaign on their social media platforms and of course by donating to us via our website.

"While each of our volunteers have different motivations for their involvement with Lifeline, what is absolutely without doubt is their shared alarm for what will happen in New Zealand if Lifeline helplines go dead in around 300 days' time," she said.

Denvir said Lifeline didn't receive any government funding for its 24/7 helplines.

"Lifeline helplines answer one call every five minutes, 24 hours a day on issues including loneliness, family violence, financial concerns, homelessness, bullying and relationship issues, mental health and suicidal thoughts.

"Our particular expertise is around suicide. We offer crisis support and safety planning as well as specialist suicide intervention and training.

"This is so important given figures show suicide in New Zealand is the third highest cause of death after heart disease and lung cancer.

"For the year ended May 2015, 569 people died by suicide or suspected suicide.

"This is the highest number since records began and double that of the annual road toll."

As of this month, Lifeline Aotearoa has a total of 65 paid employees, 20 full time and 45 part-time and 178 active volunteers on 24/7 within Auckland, Christchurch and Waikato.

Anyone who would like to support Lifeline can go to www.lifeline.org.nz to make a donation or text LIFE to 3181 to donate $3 to Lifeline.

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.