Lack of funding is main reason 60% of calls not answered, Lifeline says

Home / New ZealandRNZ10 Sep, 2026 12:56 AM2 mins to readLifeline answers only 40% of mental health crisis calls amid funding shortfall. Lifeline answers only 40% of mental health crisis calls amid funding shortfall. By RNZ Morning ReportCrisis support service Lifeline says a lack of funding is why it’s responding to less than half of mental health teleservice calls a year.

A review of services has found about half the calls made are abandoned, mainly due to long wait

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