LIFELINE Australia is looking at loneliness ahead of R U OK? Day on September 5.
Launched last week, the online survey aims to promote Lifeline's understanding loneliness.
The anonymous six question survey asks how often the participant feels lonely, who they live with and whether they have a confidant.
Lifeline Australia's chief executive Pete Shmigel said isolation and loneliness can be very significant risk factors in suicidality.
"Disconnection from family, friends and community can drive despair, particularly for those who may already be struggling," he said.
"Thousands of Lifeline's callers report that they are lonely and some 55 per cent report that they live alone, and many call us for a real conversation with a caring human being."
Mr Shmigel said we can still experience feelings of loneliness in the digital world, despite having friends on social media.
"We want to better understand whether digital relationships are positive substitutes for direct relationships with live humans."
In the lead up to R U OK? Day and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Lifeline is urging people to spend more time catching up with friends and family, especially older people who may have limited social opportunities.
Australian suicide rates are at a 10 year high, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording 2864 deaths in 2014 - an increase of 13.5 per cent from the previous year.
Middle aged men are the most susceptible, while suicide in Indigenous and rural areas are also over-represented.
The survey is open until Friday September 9.
Click HERE to take the survey.
- If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline's 24 hour phone line: 13 11 14.
