December was the busiest month on record for national glbti telephone support and face-to-face counselling service OUTLine. The service received a "staggering" 1,268 calls in December, 200 more than previous years, according to general manager Trevor Easton. And overall 2016 saw a 62% increase in calls when compared to previous years. This January is set to be busier for the organisation than last January which was their busiest one yet. “While it has been extremely hectic” OUTLine was coping and providing help to vulnerable LGBTI people at a very difficult time of year for many, Easton says. He can’t point to a specific reason behind the surge in calls but says it has been an “intensely triggering year” for LGBTI people. Part of the surge could be explained by increasing awareness about OUTLine and the services it provides, Easton suggests. Demand for face-to-face counselling has risen as well. During the Christmas period counsellors often go on leave, this year they came back to a larger than normal backlog of people waiting to see them. Primarily Auckland-based OUTLine has recently opened a Wellington support office to provide counselling services to Lgbti people in the greater Wellington region and Easton says operations have been running smoothly since the launch. Whilst the unusually high number of calls and counselling appointments has made for a hectic time, Easton says he is grateful to OUTLine staff and volunteers for providing what he describes as the best possible help and care to lgbti New Zealanders.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 2nd February 2017 - 10:50am