A new text helpline by Lifeline is reaching young people aged under 25 at risk of suicide at an unprecedented rate, with four times more texting a counsellor compared to calling.

Suicide is the leading cause of death of young people aged 18 to 24, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, yet this group accounts for only 7 per cent of the million contacts to Lifeline's crisis and suicide prevention telephone hotline and other services.

In contrast, young people under 25 accounted for 37 per cent of contacts via a new text helpline trialled by Lifeline from July 2018 to March, according to an independent review of the program.

A sample text conversation. Credit:Lifeline

The anonymity of text conversations made people seeking help feel safer, more in control, less distressed and more confident in their ability to cope after the intervention, the review found. "I didn't want to cry on the phone the entire time," said a person who texted.