Lifeline Direct Executive Director Robert Sams has introduced new General Manager Michael Were to the Northern Rivers.

“With a strong record and unique blend of strategic thinking, business development and revenue raising skills, along with operational experience in the not-for-profit sector, we are excited that Michael has joined Lifeline and relocated to Northern NSW to lead our growing team in the region, says Robert Sams, Executive Director – Lifeline Direct. 

Michael will be based in Lismore, but responsible for operations north of Grafton to Tweed Heads, and west to Tenterfield, Inverell and Glen Innes.

Michael, his wife Verity and their three young children (5, 3 and 1) moved up from Sydney and now call Lismore home after buying a property in Goonellabah with the oldest attending Blue Hills College in Goonellabah.

"We have family up here," Michael said, "My brother-in-law moved here twelve months ago as an anaesthetist at the Base Hospital and we were looking for new challenges."

"It appears to be a fantastic community. Everybody has been so welcoming."

Michael is intent on growing the service offerings provided by Lifeline in Northern NSW. 

(Michael out the front of the Magellan Street shop.)

Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help. Lismore is one of 41 locations nationally where trained crisis supporters field calls for help. Increasingly, crisis support is taking place across a diverse array of platforms. 

The 13 11 14 phoneline remains a crucial way for help-seekers to contact Lifeline, but confidential crisis support is now also available via text and online 

chat. 

“Through our Lismore centre, we answer approximately 22,000 of the calls placed each year. Within our region we also have many trained crisis supporters responding via text message, which is a growing support platform for Lifeline.” said Michael. 

To compliment the crisis support services, nationally Lifeline provides additional services such as video and face-to-face counselling, support groups, a range of mental health training services, and participates in localised community suicide prevention collaboratives. However these additional offerings have not yet been widely delivered in Northern NSW. 

With the help of the local community, we’d like to invest in additional services and support to Northern NSW” continued Michael. 

One of the major funding sources for Lifeline is the network of retail shops – with 6 locations in Northern NSW across Lismore, Casino, Ballina and Byron Bay. 

“We are tremendously grateful to the vast number of volunteers who work in our retail shops. We could not do what we do without them. We always looking for more volunteers in our shops” continued Michael. 

“We exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone. If you find you are feeling overwhelmed, please know that you are not alone. Lifeline is here for you, 24 hours a day.” Michael urged. 

Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, operating the 24-hour crisis telephone line 13 11 14 (pronounced thirteen eleven fourteen), text and web chat services from 41 centres around the nation.

The service expects to respond to over one million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe every day.