The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) has joined Lifeline International as its newest member. This global network consists of 27 organizations worldwide, each operating crisis support phone lines.
SVSG was invited to join Lifeline International in February this year due to its 24-hour free Helpline service, which aligns closely with the mission and services of the network’s existing members. SVSG has been providing these critical services to the community since 2013.
Lifeline International’s network now spans 24 countries, operating over 200 centers. Collectively, these centers provide vital community-based suicide prevention services, supporting more than 2 million individuals in crisis annually.
In Samoa, SVSG’s Helpline offers telephone counseling, responses to gender-based violence, and suicide crisis support around the clock, free of charge. As a Lifeline International member, SVSG will benefit from opportunities to share best practices, access research and training, network with other members, and participate in a suicide prevention grants program.
SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang highlighted the significance of this membership, stating, “Becoming a member of Lifeline International opens up new opportunities for SVSG. The network provides a vital platform for improving and scaling up suicide prevention services both locally and internationally. SVSG’s 24/7 free Helpline and community-based awareness programs, led by trained village representatives, play a crucial role in this effort.”
She added, “The opportunity for capacity building, networking, and global discussions on suicide prevention as a public health priority is one of the benefits of being a member of Lifeline International, which SVSG is looking forward to.”
For more information, visit the Lifeline International website here.
