Black Dog Ride - Geelong Lifeline

The Victorian leg of the Black Dog Ride World record attempt to raise awareness of depression and suicide starts its engines on Sunday April 29, 2012 at Bacchus Marsh. Motorbike riders from throughout Australia will take part in the locally coordinated ride - many with a black dog mascot on board. Each State hosts its own ride all coordinated at the same time (except Tasmania).

The ride is an attempt to break the world record for the most black dogs on motorbikes. It will also raise funds for Lifeline to provide crucial community service as one call to Lifeline can make the difference between a suicide attempt and the road to recovery.

Come along and support this very worthy cause. The schedule for the day is:

• 9.30am - Check in. Morning tea supplied by the Lions Club. View the Mental Health Expo.
• 11am - Ride Departs Bacchus Marsh.
• 12.30pm - Finish with lunch in historic Maldon.

Geelong Lifeline - Supporting Mental Health Marathon

A Geelong Lifeline training officer has provided the lead into K Rock 95.5's 27 Hour Mental Health Marathon which starts tomorrow, March 29, at 6am. From today, Sharon Nicola has been providing information for the marathon by speaking about the many ways Lifeline Geelong supports our community.

K Rock's popular B Team DJ Leroy Brown is staging the marathon to create awareness of mental illness and encouraging Geelong people to talk about their issues and problems. The 27 Hour marathon will include interviews with sufferers of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, anorexia, schizophrenia and eating disorders and more. Interviews will be with sufferers of mental illness, including well known people, families, psychologists and support agencies.

Geelong Lifeline is proud to be part of this event which will create greater awareness of the issues people, families and the community have to deal with.

For more information visit the KRock 95.5 website.

If you are having problems or feeling down and want to talk, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

No charge for mobile phone calls to Lifeline from anywhere in Australia

Mobile phone calls to Lifeline made from anywhere in Australia will be free of charge from 1 July under an agreement made between the three major phone carriers.

Stress Down Day Geelong

Lifeline's only national fundraising campgain, Stress Down Day, is being held again on Friday, July 22, and we encourage all Geelong businesses, schools and individuals to get behind this important and fun day.

Whether you go to work or school in your pyjamas or in a fun costume, or simply wear your slippers, it is all for a good cause to remind all of us to take time out from our busy lives and have fun, stress less and feel better.

In Geelong last year we managed to raise funds that went directly to Lifeline Geelong plus a small percentage from those donating through Lifeline Australia.

The Stress Down campagin will be launched in Melbourne on Friday, July 1, with a range of free activites and games between 12 noon and 2pm in St Paul's Court, Federation Square.

Donations can be made through Stress Down Day. Join in and raise your spirits and awareness of the need to reduce stress.

More Volunteers Needed

Lifeline Geelong Barwon Region Inc. has praised its volunteer Telephone Counsellors for extra shifts they have undertaken to meet the additional demand to the 24-hour crisis line because of the ongoing flood crisis.

As a result, Lifeline is calling on people in the community to consider becoming a volunteer Telephone Counsellor by contacting Lifeline Geelong Barwon Region on 03 5222 2255.

“Anyone can apply to be one of our Telephone Counsellors. Just like our latest suicide prevention Local Hero of the Year, Don Richie, our volunteers save lives each and everyday, while also helping all Australians in their time of crisis,” Lifeline spokesperson, Sharon Gibson said.

“Lifeline has seen a 50% increase in calls over the past two weeks from people right across the country, not just in flood impacted communities. Our volunteers have spoken to people about grief, loss, hardship and pain. 

“Our volunteers are Australians who care. They have helped ease pain while caring for people through their time of crisis, it’s really a very rewarding way to spend your time. The way they have mobilised to assist in our flood response shows just how great they are.”

The next round of Telephone Counselling training begins on March 16.

“It’s not just Telephone Counsellors we are looking for; people don’t have to go on the phones to help out. People can be part of the Lifeline family by undertaking a range of important roles.”

“We need people to work in shops, sort clothing, drive trucks, empty clothing bins, the list goes on. And if you can’t get involved, then mention it to your friends. Word of mouth is one of Lifeline’s best recruitment methods.”

If you or someone you know is in need of support for an emotional crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

SPAN Walk

More than 1500 people attended this year's SPAN Walk, an event Lifeline Geelong is proud to be involved with. The walk, which began last year, has already received a a fantastic response from the community and those affected by suicide with an increase of 700 people attending this year.
 
Lifeline Geelong is encouraging more people to become involved in the walk next year to help support the community and raise awarenenss of suicide. Organisers are hoping the SPAN Walk will become a national event.

Many of those who participated in the walk commented on how moved they were by the amount of people who turned up on the day. Some mentioned how they felt less alone and others said they did not realised how many people had been affected.
 

 

Lifeline's Flood Relief Effort

Lifeline Community Recovery Officers are currently on the ground in flood-ravaged regions of Queensland providing psychological and emotional support in the aftermath of the floods.

For more information regarding how people can donate material goods to support the flood relief effort plesae visit Lifeline Community Care Queensland.

Or click below to make a donation.