How Kids Helpline saved Cameron’s life
29-year-old Cameron says if it wasn’t for Kids Helpline, he wouldn’t be here today.
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service for young people aged five to 25.
Someone tries to contact the helpline every 87 seconds, but the demand is so strong that half the calls go unanswered.
Cameron tells Alan Jones calling Kids Helpline for the first time at age 16 was the best and most difficult decision of his life.
“I’d succumbed to substance abuse at a young age due to depression.
“By the time I called Kids Helpline it turned into suicide idealisation, to the point where I thought I was going to kill myself.”
He says he doesn’t know what would have happened to him if no one had answered that call.
“That’s the scary part.
“50 per cent of calls don’t get answered, and that’s because of funding.
“I was really lucky that the first time I called someone actually answered. I believe if someone hadn’t answered I probably wouldn’t have called again.”
Click PLAY below to hear the full interview
You can donate to Kids Helpline HERE
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or at kidshelpline.com.au.