OUMSA Running for Lifeline

A group of students from the Otago University Medical Students Association (OUMSA) in Dunedin are running to raise funds for Lifeline Aotearoa. We are running in the Dunedin marathon on the 1st of September, over multiple distances including the half and full marathon.

We have chosen to fundraise for Lifeline because mental health is such an important issue in New Zealand. Lifeline receives on average 6 calls a day from someone who is at a high suicide risk. Mental health and suicide have long been an aspect of our society that is taboo and not talked about, but we think that it is important to raise awareness and make sure people who are suffering know that they are not alone.

Lifeline provides phone and text support for anyone who is suffering from a wide range of reasons, including mental health issues, bullying, loneliness, grief and more. Their services run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and rely on qualified councillors and trained volunteers. They receive no government funding, so rely on donations to fund the training and services they provide.