Who we are
Our Vision is that by 2050, every person in the world has access to impactful crisis support services, to reduce deaths by suicide.
Our Mission is to grow and empower our global Member Network to deliver high quality and innovative crisis support services.
According to the World Health Organisation more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year, which translates to one suicide every 40seconds. Most suicides occur in low and middle-income countries where there are huge gaps in mental health systems and resources, with limitations in early identification and supports provided to people in need. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death globally and the third leading cause of death among young people between 15 to 29 years. Evidence has shown that the ability for any person regardless of geographic location to seek and receive help in times of personal distress and crisis reduces suicidal ideation and the likelihood for a person to take their own life.
LifeLine International (headquartered in Australia) leads a Network of 35 community-led Member organisations across 27 countries that provide locally led psychosocial support services addressing the stressors in people’s day to day living. The helplines delivered by our Members are often the first point of contact for many people experiencing distress or crisis. Services provided by digital technologies – phone (voice), chat and text – and outreach via social media and online platforms, are highly relevant to meeting the challenges all countries face. These services are accessible, typically low-cost and appealing because they are easy to access, private and support (especially for young people who utilise the internet and mobile technology when seeking help).
Community-based and led crisis support services have been proven to save lives. At the heart of the crisis support service is the relational feature that distinguishes it: the befriending interaction. This is beneficial and can generate hope in times of despair – i.e. the knowledge that someone cares.
Our areas of focus:
Promoting, organising and conducting conventions, conferences, meetings and educational programmes aimed at promoting the objectives of LifeLine International and our Members.
Capturing, sharing and disseminating knowledge and learnings drawn from LifeLine International members, partners and our wider network.
Facilitating member access to knowledge through resources, issues focused training, links to subject matter experts and through communities of practice.
Encourage and lead global public discourse on suicide prevention as a global public health priority. Create a high level of public awareness of and support for LifeLine International and our Members. Be widely known as an authoritative and influential voice on suicide prevention across the world.
LifeLine International seeks opportunities to diversify and grow our income to ensure that we have the capacity to deliver our strategic plan and empower our Members to deliver sustainable services.
Partners and Supporters
LifeLine International partners with many outstanding organisations doing important work in suicide prevention as well as supporters that enable LifeLine International to achieve its purpose.
LifeLine International Patrons
Her Excellency Toyin Ojoro Saraki
As Founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki is a global advocate for women’s and children’s health and empowerment, with two decades of advocacy covering reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; ending gender-based discrimination and violence; and improving education, socio-economic empowerment, and community livelihoods in sub- Saharan Africa.
Mrs Saraki is the Inaugural and Emeritus Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM); special adviser and member of the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), was named by Devex as UHC Global Champion, is the UNFPA Nigeria Family Planning Champion, the Save the Children Newborn Health Champion for Nigeria; and is a Global Champion for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. Mrs Saraki is a member of the International Steering Committee ICPD25 and was appointed the inaugural WHO Foundation Global Health Ambassador in 2022. Mrs Saraki currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Seed Global Health, the Leadership Council of Africa Reach and the Global Advisory Board of the World Humanitarian Forum.
Honorary President - John Brogden
John Brogden is an Australian businessman, former politician, former Chair of Lifeline Australia and the Honorary President of LifeLine International. John’s career in politics started when he became a member of the Parliament of New South Wales in 1996. In 2002, he was elected Leader of the Opposition on his 33rd birthday – the youngest person ever to lead a major political party in Australia. A global leader in suicide prevention and crisis helplines, John’s passion for mental illness recovery stems from his own suicide attempt which marked a turning point in his life and reframed the public discourse around depression and suicide.
Leadership
LifeLine International (ABN 12639930206) is governed by a Board of Directors in accordance with our Constitution.
Members of our Board are passionate advocates for suicide prevention across the world and bring a wealth of insights and lived experience to their role.
The Board and CEO are responsible for the stewardship and future well-being of LifeLine International and bears ultimate responsibility for the organisation achieving the purpose for which it exists.
Kerry McCabe, Board Chair
Kerry has enjoyed a broad and successful corporate leadership, board, start-up and third sector background spanning media, fundraising, technology, sport and marketing. Over 30-years, he has developed a rare blend of adaptive skills and a strong reputation for building winning brands, celebrated cultures and high-performance operations across Asia Pacific, the UK and North America.
Thili Perera, CEO
Thili Perera was appointed as CEO of LifeLine International in July 2021. Previously, Thili also held senior executive roles at LifeLine Australia – Australia’s preeminent suicide prevention helpline.
Her work concentrates on collaborating with a range of stakeholders across the world to reduce stigma, increase understanding that suicides are preventable and ensure that suicide prevention is a key priority on the global public health agenda.
Thili is a qualified corporate governance professional and a legal practitioner of the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court. Thili also chairs the Board of CarersACT – a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on supporting, connecting and empowering carers to maintain their caring role and personal wellbeing.
Governance
LifeLine International is committed to the highest standards of legal and ethical behaviour in pursuing our mission to save lives. To this end, our Code of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines Policy specifies the standard of behaviour required of all LifeLine International staff, contractors, volunteers and Board of Directors.
Annual Reports
Explore LifeLine International’s Annual Reports to discover our yearly achievements, financial performance, and ongoing efforts in global suicide prevention