03-May-2020
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MensLine Australia – Help is Here campaign
On the Line Australia welcomes the announcement by Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, that the Morrison Government is launching a new campaign to combat domestic violence during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Help is Here campaign will include advertising across television, digital, social media, radio, magazines and newspapers as well as in shopping centres, hospitals and GP surgeries. The Help is Here campaign has two clear messages that help is here and tough times do not excuse tougher times at home. The Help is Here campaign directs women and men to 1800RESPECT and MensLine, where they can talk directly with counsellors via phone or online chat.
On the Line has delivered MensLine, a national 24/7 telephone and online counselling service since 2001. Men who need support can call MensLine on 1300 78 99 78 at any time or visit mensline.org.au.
In the last month, up to 18 per cent of MensLine contacts have been related to COVID-19, and at the same time, there was a 34 per cent increase in calls to the service about abuse and domestic violence concerns.
Samantha Fredericks, Chief Executive Officer at On the Line, said: “MensLine provides advice to men with emotional health and relationship concerns, men who are worried about their behaviour, and men who may be using abuse and domestic violence in their intimate relationships. Our professionally trained counsellors are available 24 hours a day, and they can help men to get the support they need before a situation escalates.”
The Help is Here campaign will build awareness of the resources available to help prevent domestic violence. The new campaign is part of the Morrison Government’s $150 million Domestic Violence Support Package to help support services meet demand during these unprecedented times.
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For media enquiries or further information, contact:
Samantha Fredericks
Chief Executive Officer
About On the Line Australia
On the Line is a professional social health organisation that delivers outsourced telephone and digital counselling solutions on behalf of our funders. We specialise in supporting client groups along the mental health continuum: from those who are high risk and have complex mental and social health needs to the worried well, through to integrated physical, mental and social wellbeing.
With over 60 years’ experience delivering mental health services to the community via government, corporate and community funding, On the Line provides some of Australia’s most vital and trusted services including MensLine Australia, Suicide Call Back Service and SuicideLine Victoria.
Helplines
If you need support, please contact one of these helplines.
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
1800respect.org.au – 1800 737 732
If it is an emergency, dial 000.