Lifeline launches 24/7 text service as record numbers of Australians seek support

Australians in need of psychological support will now be able to text Lifeline and get help at any time of day or night.

The mental health charity has launched a 24/7 crisis text service to expand its support lines as record numbers of Australians reach out to Lifeline.

People can send a confidential text message to 0477 13 11 14 at any time and will be connected to a trained Lifeline crisis supporter after answering a few questions.

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Lifeline's telephone and online chat service are also available 24/7.

However, the text service has been expanded to 24/7 service after a two-year limited service showed texting was the preferred means of contact for many people.

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt data showed texting was preferred by "high risk members of the community including young people, those experiencing family and domestic violence, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people".

Australians are reaching out to Lifeline's crisis support and suicide prevention services in record numbers after two years being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lifeline received more than 3700 calls in just one day in January, marking an all new high in its 58-year history.

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The charity broke records when it received 3436 calls in August when many states were in lockdown.

It received a record 1,070,860 calls in 2021, with an average of 90 per cent of calls answers.

The service also responded to 51,265 text conversations last year.

The expansion of the text service has been funded by $1.5 million from the federal government.

Lifeline can be called on 13 11 14 or at www.lifeline.org.au.