Lifeline, Australia’s 24/7 crisis support line, experienced its busiest day on record on Sunday.
It received 4,371 phone calls, texts and webchat contacts — 20% higher than the annual daily average, and 174 more than the previous busiest day in 2024.
Lifeline CEO Colin Seery said Sunday’s figures “clearly tell us there is a great deal of distress in the community right now”.
Tensions
Over the weekend, several demonstrations were held to rally against men’s violence against women in Australia.
The protests also come during a period of financial stress, widely reported acts of violent crime in Australia, and international conflict. Seery suggested these factors led to Lifeline’s busiest day on record.
Seery said: “Whether it is events overseas, the cost of living, homelessness, violence against women or a myriad of other factors affecting people’s lives the level of distress and anxiety is very high.“
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