Editorial: Call for one line a big help

A review of helplines is needed.

Good on Coroner Gary Evans for calling for a review of helplines.

There are just so many of them it is totally confusing.

I have never used a helpline but I image those that do would be upset and frightened.

The last thing they need to do is make a decision about which helpline they should call.

Should it be the alcohol and drug line, should it be depression or lifeline?

Many people in this situation are incapable of making decisions.

One helpline would fix this problem. One phone number to remember, a simple one like 111.

The second thing to change is that the phones must be manned 24 hours, seven days a week by people who are trained to deal with people in crisis.

There is absolutely no point having someone answer a cry for help who has no idea how to help the person on the other end of the phone.

The helpline needs to be "marketed" so that people of all ages feel they can use it. There has been a lot of talk this year about our youth needing somewhere to turn when they feel lost and alone.

Here is our chance to give them just that.

Get a new helpline up and running, advertise it everywhere, in newspapers, on television, on Facebook, online.

Put it in everyone's face so that if one day they feel the need to call for help the number is in their head. No hunting for it, no hesitation to call, someone answers and just maybe a life is saved.