Sane chat

Hi @Bow

You're not pestering at all!

It's a valid question. I'll just check in and see what my manager says.

x

Hi again @Bow just wanted to let you know that while we're working hard to be able to get chat back up and running, to be transparent with everyone we are not able to provide a timeline for this at the moment.

Apologies to you as I know you aren't keen on other helplines.

hugs

Hanami

Thanks for chasing it up @hanami

@RachSANECEO wondering whether you can provide some insight into whether SANE chat is going to be operational again? Or is it a thing of the past?
TIA

Trying to get some info for you @Bow

Hi @Bow and others, sorry for the slow reply. Webchat is definitely not gone for good, we are having some staffing challenges and working to recruit as fast as we can to fill roles as well as introducing a new volunteer component to our phone line.

These things will help us improve capacity and allow us to be able to turn web chat back on again, hopefully sometime in the next couple of months. As you might be aware (or not) our 1800 phone line is actually self-funded, outside of the PHN regions that are funded by our commonwealth pilot Guided Service, we receive no government funding for our helpline services since our major grants for that line ran out in July 2021 so we have some quite significant pressures on our services. We are doing our best! Thank you for your patience.

Thank you @RachSANECEO for the update. And no I was no aware that that’s how the helpline is funded. It’s such a shame the funding for it was stopped (is there anything we can do? Someone we can write to? To rally for more funding?) I and I know a lot of other forum members really like the sane helpline, it’s so unique and offers a really safe place to talk that is very different to other helplines. I always feel cared for as some with complex mh issues and not just another person in the queue.

Aww thanks for the positive feedback - we love the support line too - such a core part of SANE. I will pass that onto the team. You know in the past decades there did used to be street rallies held by SANE, we have talked about that sort of thing in future. It is possible to fundraise for SANE, either by sharing in your IRL places our donation campaigns or joining our efforts - I think we are listed on run Melbourne and run Sydney, and letters to local members help too.. I will flag this with the fundraising team and comms team as well there might be some links they can share in this thread!