Lifeline is a national charity that provides people in personal crisis with access to online, over-the-phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services.

The Lifeline Telephone Counselling Service had not operated in Armidale for two years. 

Ms Jan Bavea proposed that council enter into a short-term lease agreement with Lifeline on a peppercorn rent rate from 2016 to 2017.

Lifeline services were shut down in 2014 as the result of discussions by separate legal entities.

The final decision was made by the board of directors that control operations in the area.

HealthStats NSW statistics indicate that the number of intentional self harm hospitalisations in Armidale has been well above the state average for both men and women for more than ten years.

University of New England School of Health Research chair Myfanwy Maple said that Lifeline has an interesting structure as the number is split across Australia regardless of whether a community has a presence on the ground. 

"The statistics on intentional self harm hospitalisations in Armidale are lower than is correct for Armidale because a lot goes unreported.

It depends on how willing the treating clinicians are to claim cases as 'intentional', most clinicians are less inclined to stigmatise self harm and suicide," she said.

Lifeline Australia chief operating officer Mark Henderson was personally involved in discussions about establishing a physical presence at Kent House.

"We see there's some potential there in Armidale and certainly a passion there for a number of volunteers, there's a group of volunteers in that region willing to deliver Lifeline services,” he said.

If you are experiencing a personal crisis contact Lifeline on 131 114.