MEDIA & EVENTS

Bridging Hope

Bridging Hope Announces Partnership With Lifeline

17 May 2017 – Bridging Hope Charity Foundation has announced a three-year partnership with Lifeline with the aim of developing a crisis support service for the Chinese community within Australia. The partnership was formally announced at a lunch event hosted by Lifeline CEO Pete Shmigel at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney on Wednesday 17 May, with The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, Premier of New South Wales in conversation with Mike Munro AM.

The Bridging Hope Charity Foundation’s partnership, valued at $450,000 over three years, will initially support a specific Mandarin and Cantonese feasibility study in 2017 to understand how Lifeline can better connect with the Chinese community in Australia. The long-term goal over the three-year partnership is to provide Australian-based Chinese communities with more accessible crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Tina Tian, Founder and Director of the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation added: “This partnership is the outcome of the joint desires of our Foundation and Lifeline to support the growth of their important crisis services for the greater good of our communities.”

John Brogden, Chairman of Lifeline commented: “Thank you to the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation for supporting our national charity to reach more people who may be struggling with life’s challenges. As well as being about service development, this partnership sends a strong message to community members that – regardless of your age, background or ethnicity – if you are going through tough times or are thinking about suicide, you should never have to be alone.

Bridging Hope Charity Foundation will also support Lifeline’s establishment, research and promotion of a Mandarin and Cantonese Crisis Support Service through its connections with the Chinese community and business leaders.

Last year, Lifeline received over 1 million calls from people in crisis across Australia, providing highly-skilled and heart-warming support to people in their darkest moments. More than 3,000 Australians died by suicide in 2016, representing double the national road toll.

For non-English speakers, Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis support services can be accessed through the free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. The caller should then ask to talk to Lifeline on 13 11 14 in the language required.

Bridging Hope