Suicide hotlines are ringing off the hook as Australians struggle to deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic on their jobs, health and wellbeing.

National crisis support service Lifeline is being swamped with about 3,000 calls a day - or a call every 30 seconds.

More than a third of the calls, 39 per cent, are related to COVID-19 - up from 23 per cent just two weeks ago.

Beyondblue is experiencing a similar surge.

Lifeline's Head of Crisis Services & Quality Rachel Bowes said Australians were increasingly worried about the impact of coronavirus on their livelihoods and the number of calls for help had dramatically surged as the crisis deepened.

'As soon as we started to see a little trickle of calls in around COVID we realised quite quickly there was potential for this to escalate in the same way (as the bushfires in December/January) and it certainly has,' Ms Bowes told Daily Mail Australia.

'Our expectation is that we're going to continue to see the same or an increased volume certainly for the next week, month, two months...'.

Ms Bowes said some people who were okay now might 'experience anxiety in two weeks or a months time'.

'It really depends on how long it goes on and the longer it goes on the more angst people have about it in a way,' she said.

People calling crisis support centres are mainly concerned about the loss of financial security and job security, health concerns, increasing loneliness and wider concerns around the uncertainty of what the future holds (PICTURED: hundreds of people line up outside a Centrelink office in Melbourne after losing their jobs)

A message written in chalk offers a glimmer of hope to Australians during dark times

The figures reflect a 20 per cent increase in normal call volumes, and the number is increasing daily after already spiking 10 per cent during the Australian bushfire crisis.

Only two weeks ago the percentage of calls relating to COVID-19 was 23 per cent.

Loss of financial and job security, health concerns, increasing loneliness and wider concerns around the uncertainty of what the future holds are making up the bulk of calls.

And while those asking for help come from all walks of life, many of the callers are younger than Lifeline normally receives.

Many Australians are trying to keep a routine despite the radical changes to their way of life

Ms Bowes said the service wasn't at crisis point, but they're bracing for things to get darker as time goes on.

'We're not seeing a huge increase in the amount of calls we have where there is a specific reference to suicide or thoughts of suicide. We're seeing a general uplift in calls where people are anxious and concerned and generally not coping with the uncertainty of life - rather than people that are being pushed to the very extreme,' she said.

'Not to say that won't happen as the situation goes along, and that's certainly something we're being really mindful of. And I know mental health services around the country are kind of preparing for the longer time impact on people's mental health that's going to be as a result of living through this period,' she said.

National crisis support service Lifeline is receiving a phone call every 30 seconds, averaging around 3,000 calls a day.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AROUND COVID-19 FOR AUSTRALIANS LIFELINE Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights) Chat online: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat (7pm - midnight, 7 nights) BEYOND BLUE Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours/7 days) Chat online: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support 'Coping during the Coronavirus Outbreak Forum' HEADSPACE Phone: 1800 650 890 Eheadspace services including one on one support, group chat forums SANE Australia Phone: 1800 18 7263 (10am-10pm AEDT, Mon-Fri.) Online Support forums: saneforums.org KIDS HELPLINE Phone: 1800 55 1800 Advertisement

Ms Bowes offered advice for people who may be struggling with their change of circumstances.

'It's really important to talk about it with people and not let those worries become too magnified or out of control. Give yourself a break from reading about it and try to maintain social contact in different ways, whether that's through the phone or lifeline. Be creative about reaching out to people who make you feel good or who you know you can talk to, ' she said.

Another organisation Beyondblue recorded a 30 per cent increase in calls and emails to their support services within the past week and 1/3 of those are related to the coronavirus.

The spike in services resulted in the creation of a new platform for people to talk about coronavirus specific concerns- the 'Coping during the Coronavirus Outbreak' forum.

The discussion thread' is already attracting an average of 2,000 views a day.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said it was normal to feel intense anxiety and stress, and to feel worried or overwhelmed in these unique times.

'We all react to stressful situations in different ways. Now more than ever, Australians need very accessible, concise and practical advice and support,' Ms Harman said.

'We know that prevention and early intervention can reduce the impact of mental health issues, so a dedicated service that gives people easy to access support is vital, especially in these extraordinary circumstances.'

Another mental health organisation Sane Australia has launched a social media campaign to encourage Australians to 'check in' on their family, friends and neighbours.

The campaign is urging Australians to use the hashtag 'InthisTogether' to stay connected during the uncertainty and isolation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) said the assistance package was 'focused on saving lives and saving livelihoods' as the economy continues to face uncertainty in the wake of the coronavirus crisis

The federal government announced a $1.1billion package on Sunday designed to hep the country's most vulnerable.

As part of the announcement, $669million will go towards Medicare subsidies for telehealth including mental health consultations for all Australians and funding for Lifeline, Kids Helpline and family violence and emergency relief support.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the assistance package was 'focused on saving lives and saving livelihoods' as the economy continues to face uncertainty in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia rose to 4,515 on Tuesday, with 19 recorded deaths

He said the cash injection is directed at combating the secondary effects of the pandemic on people's health as more Australians shift to working at home or face the prospect of losing their jobs and businesses.

The funding injection is a response to warnings from doctors about a major increase in anxiety, isolation and loneliness, The Australian reported.

Mr Morrison said he understood many Australians were fearful about the impacts of the coronavirus.

'We are focused on saving lives and saving livelihoods and this new support package will provide much needed care and help to so many Australians facing hardship at no fault of their own,' Mr Morrison said.

People queue to enter Centrelink on March 24, 2020 in Melbourne

'We will get through this crisis by staying together, by supporting each other and ensuring that no Australian, even though we have to be isolated, should have to go through this alone.'

The federal government announced a $74 million mental health package on Sunday to boost mental health services.

The Commonwealth's broad package, announced today, also includes $669 million towards Medicare subsidies for telehealth, including mental health consultations for all Australians, and funding for Lifeline, Kids Helpline and a range of family violence and emergency relief supports for households