SWAN View resident Angelina Do is one of many Lifeline WA digital crisis supporters who are guiding young people seeking help as new figures reveal that almost one in five people requiring assistance through its text and online chat services is under 15.

The figures also reveal that 55 per cent of digital help seekers are under 25, highlighting how young people are turning to digital services for support.

Twenty-three year-old Ms Do has gained firsthand insight into the challenges young people are facing, including anxiety, navigating relationships, self-identity and major life transitions.

She said volunteering at Lifeline WA had given her an insight into the complex pressures young people are carrying.

“Young people are in a period of constant change, learning to navigate and understand the world as they gain experience, and it can be overwhelming trying to make sense of so much at once,” she said.

“They often reach out about issues regarding navigating social relationships and their self-identity. Many young people also reach out about anxiety with transitions in their lives, such as going from primary to high school or moving away from home.”

Unlike an AI assistant, Lifeline WA’s Digital Crisis Support service connects help seekers with a trained person equipped to listen with care, respond safely and provide genuine human connection during a crisis.

Young Western Australians are increasingly turning to their screens when they need support, with new figures revealing that 55 per cent of people seeking support through Lifeline WA's text and online chat services are aged under 25.

The 2025/26 figures also reveal almost one in five digital help seekers is aged under 15, providing a picture of how early young people are reaching out and the channels they are choosing to use.

The figures come as Mineral Resources (MinRes) renews its partnership with Lifeline WA, committing $600,000 over three years, which includes support for the training of 300 new digital crisis supporters.

The investment will help Lifeline WA continue responding to strong demand for support via text and online chat, with thousands of Western Australians seeking help through the organisation’s digital crisis support services each year.

The role of digital technology in how young people seek support, connection and information extends beyond mental health services.

Research released by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner in August found 78 per cent of Australian children aged 10 to 17 had used an AI assistant.

Among children who had used AI assistants or companions, 54 per cent had used them for personal or social reasons, including talking about their feelings, seeking advice, discussing physical or mental health.

Lifeline WA chief executive officer Sarah Fordham said the challenge was to ensure that when someone made the decision to seek help digitally, a trained person was there to respond.

“Behind every text or online chat is a person who has made the decision to reach out for support and trust someone with what they are going through” Ms Fordham said.

“Our digital crisis supporters are trained to listen with care, without judgement, and to support people through some incredibly difficult moments.

MinRes head of mental health April Jones said as demand for mental health support grows, the compay was proud to help fund the training that means Lifeline WA can connect more Western Australians with a real person when they need one most.

Lifeline WA is encouraging people interested in becoming a digital crisis supporter to consider volunteering.

Training includes comprehensive e-learning followed by practical development and ongoing support and can take approximately two months to complete online.

To find out more, visit the website.