Life Line seeks to raise profile

Press, 22 July 1989, Page 5

Life Line seeks to raise profile

Life Line will raise its public profile next week to ensure people know who they can contact for help and. to attract greater public support. A Christchurch spokesman, Mr Allan Bloore, said that since Life Line was established in Christchurch 25 years ago there had been strong demand for the accessible, anonymous and free “crises intervention by telephone” service.

However, many people still saw it as simply a suicide line, only to be used as a last resort.

“That’s simply not true,” Mr Bloore said. “In Christchurch Life Line is a very proficient counselling agency.” Eighty trained counsellors provide a 24-hour,

seven-day-a-week telephone counselling facility and other services include face-to-face counselling, psychotherapy, group counselling, and couple and family counselling. People of all ages and in every socio-economic group and occupation called Life Line, Mr Bloore said. The most common concerns were relationship difficulties. Callers were helped to explore ways to resolve their situation and to plan their next move. Some callers become more self aware, discovered new personal resources for coping and learnt how to make responsible choices. Open days and media activity are planned throughout the country to inform people of Life Line’s services.