24-HOUR ‘LIFELINE’ SERVICE TODAY

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 20

24-HOUR ‘LIFELINE’ SERVICE TODAY

“Lifeline”, the emergency counselling service run by the Methodist Central Mission in Christchurch in co-operation with other Churches, will begin a 24-hour seven-days-a-week service today.

After the telephone exchange switch-over at 11 o’clock tonight its new number will be 66-743. For the last 18 months the service has operated from 9 a.m. to midnight. It has been found that calls after midnight justified 24-hour attendances. In the last year “Lifeline” handled more than 1400 calls for help. They ranged from requests for aid in domestic disputes, marriage guidance, distress and loneliness to potential suicide. “Someone to talk to is a prime need and, as well as advice, practical help is often arranged,” said the Rev. W. E. Falkingham. He said “Lifeline” had 52 telephone counsellors available now and about 50 more in

training. They came from all walks of life and all age groups.

If a person qualified to help in a special need was not on duty, an appropriate person would be called, Mr Falkingham said.

On the 24-hour service, counsellors would work in shifts of about three hours, although the watch from midnight to 6 a.m. would be taken straight through. Mr Falkingham said “Lifeline” in Christchurch had received public recognition by inclusion of its number among the emergency telephone listings (police, hospital, fire brigade, etc.) at the front of the new directory. “This will help us and those in need,” said Mr Falkinham.