Lifeline Hunter Central Coast CEO Gillian Summers said the new analysis would allow Lifeline to gain a better understanding of its callers.

“We are trying to work out who we’re talking to and what their issues are,” she said.

The charity organisation made the findings recently after a change to the way it records caller data, while keeping personal information remains anonymous.

Ms Summers said she was alarmed when she heard how many of the calls were coming from people who lived alone.

“I think that’s pretty earth-shattering,” she said.

“We live in this fast-paced digital world where people are connected. 

“But unless people feel like they belong and are cared about, it can be very tough.”

She said smaller country towns where people were isolated - including those around Maitland - were a concern, but that people could help.

“If we’re going to change as a community, we all need to look at our behaviour,” she said.

She said a smile, a wave or a phone call could be all it took to make someone feel like they belong.

For crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visitwww.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.

Key quarterly data (1 Jan – 31 March):

60 per cent of callers to 13 11 14 were female; 39 per cent male; 1 per cent intersex

The top three categories of crisis calls were family and relationships (24 per cent), mental health (18 per cent) and issues pertaining to ‘self’ (18 per cent)

Ages of callers:

Under 18 years: 1 per cent

18-24 years: 8 per cent

25-44 years: 35 per cent

45-65 years: 42 per cent

Over 65 years: 14 per cent

Living arrangements:

Alone: 56 per cent

Children only: 7 per cent

Flatmate or co-tenant: 6 per cent

Parents: 8 per cent

Friend: 1 per cent

Spouse of partner: 16 per cent

Other: 6 per cent