UCA - Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney

UCA - Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney is an Australian nonprofit organization dedicated to crisis support, mental health, suicide prevention, and community wellbeing. The organization operates across Greater Western Sydney, the Southern Highlands, and Southern Tablelands regions, serving approximately 2.7 million Australians. It is registered under the Australian Business Number (ABN) 72419187282RR0001.

Mission and Vision

The vision of Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney is to contribute to an Australia free of suicide. Its purpose is to empower and support individuals and communities, promoting mental health awareness and providing critical crisis intervention services.

Services and Programs

Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney offers a wide range of support services and community programs, including:

• Crisis Support: The organization’s crisis supporters answered 107,000 calls to the national crisis line (13 11 14) during 2022-23, providing immediate assistance to individuals in distress.
• Financial Counselling: Financial counsellors provided face-to-face support to over 500 clients, helping people manage financial stress which can contribute to mental health challenges.
• Training Programs: Accredited training is offered in areas such as crisis support, mental health and wellbeing, and domestic violence response. These programs are designed to build community capacity, destigmatize mental health issues, and encourage help-seeking behavior.
• Suicide Prevention Services: Commissioned by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Lifeline Macarthur provides specialized suicide support services, including:
  • Gatekeeper training to build suicide-safe communities.
  • The Suicide Aftercare Program offering short-term telephone support.
  • Suicide bereavement support groups providing a safe space for adults affected by suicide loss.
  • ECLIPSE Support Groups for adults who have survived suicide attempts.
  • Regional Suicide Prevention Hub facilitating collaboration among health, education, emergency services, and community stakeholders.
• Community Outreach: Their outreach team works with schools and community groups to raise awareness and extend support services.
• Lifeline Shops: Operating second-hand shops promotes sustainability and generates funds for their community services.

Impact

In the 2022-23 period, Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney trained over 1,500 community members to enhance mental health literacy and suicide prevention. The organization continues to be a vital resource in fostering resilience and supporting people experiencing mental health crises in Western Sydney and surrounding regions.

Governance and Registration

Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney is registered as a charity and complies with Australian regulatory standards governing nonprofit organizations. Its work is supported by partnerships with local communities, volunteers, and government agencies.

Through its comprehensive crisis response and community engagement, UCA - Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney remains a cornerstone of mental health support and suicide prevention in one of Australia’s most populous regions.

[1] https://www.lifelinemws.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/b449387a-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077 [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/b449387a-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/documents/948475b9-1bbb-ee11-9078-002248122521 [4] https://www.lifelinemws.org.au/news/page/16 [5] https://swsphn.com.au/what-we-do/mental-health/lifeline-macarthur-free-suicide-support-services/