ANGELA Martin, a former caller to Lifeline North Coast in her darkest hour, has stepped up to become interim CEO of the lifesaving organisation.

Speaking during Mental Health Awareness Month, Angela shares her personal story.

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“At Christmas 2019 I was in the happiest stage of my life, everything was perfect, I felt safe and secure,” Angela said.

“But within a heartbeat my marriage of 21 years ended with a phone call and a text message.

“I wasn’t working at the time, I had no family, both my parents had passed away only a few years before and I became the sole parent of two beautiful daughters.

“Never had I ever felt so vulnerable.

“I was experiencing the biggest crisis and emotional distress of my life.

“The grief, shame and fear I felt were unbelievably painful.

“I found it hard to get out of bed, I found it even harder to leave the house.”

Angela called Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis phone line.

“I still remember the kind voice on the line, and I can still feel how much that support helped in my darkest hour.”

Fast forward three years and she is now working for the organisation that helped her through a challenging time and continues to help millions of other Australians.

Lifeline’s crisis phone line is a free, 24/7 service that is confidential, non-judgemental and for anyone.

The crisis supporters receive intensive training, but there are attributes that each and every one of them possess: compassion, kindness, and empathy.

“Our Crisis Support Volunteers sit with someone in their darkest hour.

“To sit in another person’s pain, that they will never meet, and will never know what happens after the phone hangs up.

“This to me is an act of pure unconditional love and human connection,” said Angela.

As the acting CEO of Lifeline North Coast, Angela and the team are now preparing for the second year of an annual fundraising event which helps support the operational costs of Lifeline.

The ‘Grinding Gears and Burning Diesel Lifeline Convoy’ is on Saturday, 12 November founded in collaboration with truck driver Ian ‘Eno’ Taylor after two of his colleagues within the truck driving industry, Mark Haines and Tom Seccombe, both died by suicide.

Lifeline runs this event to raise awareness of the importance of asking for help and to support truck drivers and their families, to prevent further suicides in the community.

There will be a large convoy of trucks driving south from Woolgoolga on the Pacific Highway for locals to cheer on the streets.

The organisers are expecting over 150 vehicles to gather in a public display at the International Sports Stadium car park in Coffs Harbour.

If you are interested in knowing more about Lifeline North Coast and how it is impacting the local community go to https://lifelinenorthcoast.org.au/ or call (02) 6651 4093.

By Andrea FERRARI