A Tasmanian lifeline If you are struggling, feeling alone or fearful for the future you can call A Tasmanian Lifeline on 1800 98 44 34 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days. What a turbulent few months we have been through and may still face. We understand that you, your friends and your family may have experienced massive amounts of change from the effects of COVID-19. These sudden changes have caused an amount of fear, and that’s a totally understandable experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Experiencing a range of emotions is a normal reaction. We’ve all gone through a whole range of emotions with COVID-19, such as lack of control, anxiety and fear. If COVID-19 has made life tough for you, you’re not alone. Call A Tasmanian Lifeline on 1800 98 44 34. Our group of dedicated team members are committed to support you and provide ideas to assist in these uncertain times. Three types of support available: Call in: Tasmanians will receive support from a trained support worker todiscuss concerns and where appropriate, be directed to a referral service. Call out: Contact socially isolated older Tasmanians identified through existingservices, concerned family and friends, or by other health professionals. Reach out: Through partnership with those industries significantly impacted,identify at-risk members and reach out with support, counselling or employeeassistance programs. Interpreting Service A free interpreting service for people who do not speak English is available for 1800 98 44 34. To access this service please call TIS on 131 450 and ask to talk to A Tasmanian Lifeline on 1800 98 44 34 in the language required. TIS will call 1800 98 44 34 on behalf of the caller. A call to TIS is the cost of a local call from landlines (additional charges apply for mobiles). Find out more at: www.tisnational.gov.au Relay Service If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service: TTY (teletypewriter) users phone 133 677 then ask for 1800 98 44 34 Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 98 44 34 Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 1800 98 44 34 Background Lifeline Tasmania has set up a new service for Tasmanians, specifically to deal with unprecedented demand for information, advice and support because of the coronavirus pandemic, called A Tasmanian Lifeline. The State Government is backing the new service with $875,000 in funding for the next 12 months. It has also given substantial in-kind support by providing space in a State Government building where there was a fully fitted out area for the call centre, and IT expertise. The University of Tasmania has assisted in the recruitment of social work, psychology and counselling students to staff the call centre, creating new jobs for over 25 Tasmanians. The new staff will be professionally trained and will deliver the same quality of support that Lifeline Tasmania is respected for. Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line continues to be available for those with significant and ongoing mental health issues, including those having suicidal thoughts. The new line will deal with the many issues around what is called psychological stress. The Mental Health Council of Tasmania stresses that psychological distress is not a mental illness. It is a normal human response to a situation that is frightening, confusing or upsetting. Research studies indicate that most people will experience some level of psychological distress during a pandemic. For most people this will ease over time and does not lead to mental illness. Being in ‘psychological distress’ means that a person feels unhappy, anxious, worried, angry, sad, scared or grief-stricken. For many Tasmanians 1800 98 44 34 – A Tasmanian Lifeline is a service they might never have contemplated having to access in normal times. These are not normal times. Many Tasmanians experiencing stress, anxiety, worry, fear and a sense of helplessness because of the pandemic are strongly encouraged to seek assistance by calling this new Lifeline Tasmania service. The new Lifeline Tasmania service will provide information on the resources available to support those impacted by the unprecedented changes in the way Tasmanians go about their daily lives, including social isolation, loss of employment, the impact on mental health, the financial challenges and, in the case of health professionals, working in a high-risk environment. A Tasmanian Lifeline will be staffed from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. To book a call, or for more information about A Tasmanian Lifeline, visit the website. To establish a relationship between your organisation and A Tasmanian Lifeline, please email: [email protected] All branding and creative images for A Tasmanian Lifeline have generously been created and donated by Before Creative. With thanks for the ongoing and generous support of hit 100.9 Hobart and Triple M Hobart for keeping Tasmanians informed about A Tasmanian Lifeline.