In October 2022, Victoria University (VU) and Lifeline Western Melbourne launched a partnership with the primary aim of boosting resources for Victorians requiring crisis support and suicide prevention services.
With the community in Melbourne’s west and north facing a 35% increase in demand for Lifeline services since the beginning of the pandemic, this new partnership will focus on providing better support systems for residents in the region facing emotional distress.
Lifeline Western Melbourne is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lifeline Australia, providing the following crucial services to the local community:
These services are financially supported by corporate and community donations, as well as the operation of Lifeline Shops.
Lifeline Western Melbourne continually aims to expand these suicide prevention and community wellbeing programs into local areas where they do not currently exist.
Our partnership will see Lifeline establish its first Crisis Support Centre in the west of Melbourne, and the first to operate in Victoria on a university campus.
The centre, set to open at VU’s St Albans Campus, will be serviced by approximately 20 volunteers and staff. It will offer opportunities for VU students as well as local community members to train as crisis support workers.
Providing crisis training to VU students across both higher education and TAFE, the centre will allow those studying youth work, psychology, counselling, community services and social work to step into real-world, much-needed roles.
VU researchers will also begin to develop impactful collaborations with the Lifeline Research Foundation, and both organisations will explore additional opportunities to improve student, staff and the wider community’s mental health and wellbeing.
We partner with organisations whose principles reflect ours, and that of our students and staff, so we are honoured to be adding value to the critically important work of Lifeline. There could be no more important time to do it.
– Professor Adam Shoemaker, Victoria University Vice-Chancellor.
VU is focused on improving student success and retention through addressing the challenges students face during their study life.
This list of online resources may help you explore different aspects of your physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
If you are finding it difficult to cope, or are unsure about things and would like to talk to someone in confidence, please contact our Counselling services.
Access Lifeline’s Crisis Support Services 24/7 via:
To find out more about this partnership, please contact:
Major Partnerships
Engagement & Advancement
Email: [email protected]
