A crisis text messaging service will allow suicidal people to send a message to Lifeline to get support.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced $2.5 million on Sunday to enable Lifeline to develop Australia's first text-based crisis support service.

"We need to communicate with people using multiple technologies, and Crisis Text makes help available, simply and accessibly, across modern communication," Lifeline Australia chair John Brogden said on Sunday.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.