PERTH-BASED telecommunications provider iiNet is set to provide free telephone calls for customers calling crisis and mental health support services such as Beyond Blue, a move suggested by one of the company’s Twitter followers.
iiNet home phone and net phone subscribers, which also includes Westnet, Netspace and AAPT users, will be able to call service lines including Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Mensline Australia, Suicide Callback Service, SANE Helpline, Kids Helpline, The Samaritans and Crisis Care, free of charge.
“We believe that access to services such as Lifeline should be available to everyone in need. The appeal for free calls was posted on Twitter by one of our followers, and now it’s a reality for our home phone customers,” iiNet chief executive Michael Malone said.
Lifeline Australia is supportive of the iiNet initiative and encourages all Australians to contact Lifeline if they are experiencing difficulty in their lives.
“Lifeline answers over 450,000 calls every year from Australians in an emotional crisis. For many people, the removal of any burden of cost can mean the difference between seeking help or not,” Lifeline acting chief executive Angus Clelland said.
“It is gestures like this that shows our community that it is ok to call a service like Lifeline, that there is help out there and that people do care.”
