By Matthew Sims
Victoria University [VU] and Lifeline Western Melbourne have united to provide more crisis support and suicide prevention services to those in the west.
Coinciding with World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10, the organisations signed a five-year agreement to establish a crisis support centre at VU’s St Albans camps from November.
Under the agreement, about 20 volunteers and staff members would provide services, with VU students able to train as crisis support workers to take on youth work, psychology, counselling, community services and social work.
Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed one in six Australians aged between 16 and 85 have experienced suicidal thoughts, while nine Australians die by suicide daily.
As part of the collaboration, VU researchers would also work with the Lifeline Research Foundation to determine where the most support is needed.
VU vice-chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the partnership was part of VU’s ‘flipped campus’ strategy, which ensures students can directly engage with an industry-aligned partner.
“We do not simply prepare our students and researchers to work in their chosen profession after graduation,” he said.
“With our flipped campus model, we integrate students into their chosen profession from the very first moment that they set foot on our campus.”
“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.”
Lifeline Western Melbourne general manager Jason Doherty said the partnership would provide extensive training to those working at the centre.
“At Lifeline we work in the community for community, so it is great to be part of the VU community,” he said.
“It is important that our 13 11 14 crisis supporters come from all walks of life – including students and young people.”
Details: ldtraining@lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14
