OUTLine is pleading for anyone who is struggling, feeling alone, or worried about a friend to “please call us”. There have been a number of sudden deaths in the lgbti communities in recent weeks. OUTLine is a confidential phone service for people in the lgbti community which can be reached on 0800 OUTLINE (6885463). Its lines are open from 9am-9pm Monday to Friday, and from 6pm-9pm on weekends and public holidays. General Manager Trevor Easton’s message is simple – “please, please give us a call”. He says “you will get someone who cares about you, who is supportive and will listen to you properly, without any judgement, who is there to support you through that whole process when you’re down that low you need someone who understands what you’re going through. “We are staffed only by rainbow people, for rainbow people.” OUTLine also provides face to face counselling, either at its Auckland offices, or via Skype from anywhere in New Zealand. “That’s by qualified, trained counsellors who specialise in the rainbow community and are part of the rainbow community as well. We also specialise in trans issues. We have two very qualified people in that area.” Easton also urges anyone in the community who is concerned about a friend, to get in touch. “We have all these new laws which are amazing. I never thought I’d see them. But we need to support each other at times when we feel alone in the world and isolated.” After hours, the 24/7 Depression Helpline and its trained counsellors can be reached on 0800 111 757.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 19th January 2015 - 10:56am