Lifeline says its new text helpline has exceeded expectations, reaching people in the bush who may be contemplating suicide but struggled to access help.

Key points: Researchers say Lifeline's text helpline is being used by more young people, Indigenous people, and people with a disability

Researchers say Lifeline's text helpline is being used by more young people, Indigenous people, and people with a disability Lifeline has been trialling its text helpline between 6pm and midnight since 2018

Lifeline has been trialling its text helpline between 6pm and midnight since 2018 The organisation is seeking government funding to operate the helpline around the clock

The suicide prevention organisation has been trialling its text helpline between 6:00pm and midnight.

The effectiveness of the service has been the subject of research conducted by the Australian Health Services Research Institute based at the University of Wollongong.

"That was one of the big hopes for this service, that it would be more accessible for people in rural and remote areas and it does seem to have turned out that way," senior research fellow Kate Williams said.

"That finding is interesting because Lifeline also has an online chat service, but that relies on having a good internet connection.

"Overall it's an effective program as it's reaching a group of people who might not otherwise be reached."

'High level of disclosure'

The research found people with a disability, young people and a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people used the service, over and above Lifeline's telephone helpline.

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Of the 3,236 people who engaged in a conversation via text message with a Lifeline crisis supporter, Dr Williams said many were forthcoming about their suicidal thoughts.

"There was a very high level of disclosure and it happened quite quickly in these conversations compared to the phone conversations," she said.

"In 29 per cent of texts, the crisis supporter judged that the person was actually, actively considering suicide.

"In at least half of those cases, the text conversation was effective enough that no intervention was required."

According to the study, those who accessed the service expressed improved feelings of safety following their conversation via text messages.

Lifeline is seeking government funding to operate the text helpline service 24/7. ( ABC TV )

Next steps for text helpline

Lifeline chief executive Colin Seery said the organisation was seeking government funding to operate the text helpline around the clock.

"Intuitively we thought it would hit the mark, but the work done by the University of Wollongong outshone our expectations," Mr Seery said.

"We have a very detailed plan in place and we see initially a 12-hour service and we will be aiming to do that in the next 12 months.