Helplines and mental health services

To help connect people with their local communities for specific or wider support.

It’s okay to reach out for help – never hesitate if you are concerned about yourself or someone else.

Kia mau ki te tūmanako, te whakapono me te aroha
Hold fast to hope, faith and love

In a crisis or emergency

If someone has attempted suicide or you’re worried about their immediate safety, do the following:

• Call your local mental health crisis assessment team (numbers are further below) or go with them to the emergency department (ED) of your nearest hospital
• If they are in immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111
• Stay with them until support arrives
• Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use (e.g. ropes, pills, guns, car keys, knives.)
• Try to stay calm, take some deep breaths. Let them know you care
• Keep them talking: listen and ask questions without judging
• Make sure you are safe.

​More information and support

For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, medical centre, hauora, community mental health team, school counsellor or counselling service.

If you don’t get the help you need the first time, keep trying.

Below is a list of some services available which offer support, information and help

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737
Talk with a trained counsellor, anytime.

For counselling and support

• Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) –- for counselling and support
• Samaritans 0800 726 666 – for confidential support for anyone who is lonely or in emotional distress
• Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 – to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions
• Healthline 0800 611 116 – for advice from trained registered nurses
• www.depression.org.nz – includes The Journal free online self-help tool

All services are free, and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise stated.

For children and young people

• Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or webchat at www.youthline.co.nz (webchat available 7pm – 11pm) – for young people and their parents, whānau and friends
• What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (0800 WHATSUP) or webchat at www.whatsup.co.nz from 5pm – 10pm for 5-18 year olds
• Kidsline 0800 543 754 (0800 KIDSLINE) – for young people up to 18 years of age'
• www.thelowdown.co.nz visit the website or free text 5626 – for support for young people experiencing depression or anxiety
• www.auntydee.co.nz – a free online tool for anyone who needs help working through problems
• www.sparx.org.nz – an online self-help tool that teaches young people the key skills needed to help combat depression and anxiety

For help with specific issues

• 0508 Tautoko Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 – for support if you’re in distress, or worried that someone may be at risk of suicide or for those who are grieving a loss
• OUTLine 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE) – for sexuality or gender identity issues (10am – 9pm Monday to Friday, and 6pm – 9pm weekends)
• Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797, free text 8681 or online chat at alcoholdrughelp.org.nz – for people dealing with alcohol or other drug problems
• Women’s Refuge Crisis Line 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) – for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family
• Māori Women’s Refuge Crisis Line 0800 733 843 or visit womensrefuge.org.nz/get-help/maori-wahine/
• Anxiety Helpline 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)
• Shakti Crisis Line 0800 742 584 (0800 SHAKTI) – for migrant or refugee women living with family violence
• Rape Crisis 0800 883 300 – for support after rape or sexual assault
• PlunketLine 0800 933 922 – support for parents, including mothers experiencing post-natal depression
• Rural Support 0800 787 254 – for people in rural communities dealing with financial or personal challenges
• Refugees as Survivors 0800 472 769 or www.rasnz.co.nz – psychological support for refugees and asylum seekers
• EDANZ 0800 233 269 or www.ed.org.nz – for information, support and resources about supporting someone with an eating disorder

For families, whānau and support workers

• Skylight 0800 299 100 – for support through trauma, loss and grief (9am – 5pm weekdays)
• Supporting Families in Mental Illness 0800 732 825 – for families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness
• Le Va www.leva.co.nz or www.facebook.com/LeVaPasifika – information and support for Pasifika families on mental health, addiction and suicide prevention
• Victim support 0800 842 846 – 24 hour support for people affected by crime, trauma and suicide
• Common Ground www.commonground.org.nz – a central hub providing parents, family, whānau and friends with access to information, tools and support to help a young person who is struggling
• After a Suicide www.afterasuicide.nz – a website offering practical information and guidance to people who have lost someone to suicide
• Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.nz – for more information about supporting someone in distress, looking after your own mental health and working toward recovery

Mental health crisis team contact numbers

Phone numbers are subject to change. If you are concerned about someone and the number you are calling is not working, call 1737 and ask to be put through to the crisis team in your area. If you’re in danger right now, please call 111.

To find local services, check out

• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor, anytime
• Healthline 0800 611 116 – for advice from trained registered nurses, including information about local health services throughout New Zealand.
• Family and Community Services National Directory www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory – for information about community services that can help with issues relating to parenting, special needs, family support, family violence, custody and access, child behaviour, life skills, counselling, addiction, sexual abuse, grief and loss
• Māori Health Provider Directory www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/Māori-health-provider-directory – there a number of Māori health providers contracted to District Health Boards, or iwi and kaupapa Māori organisations that work independently throughout Aotearoa – contact a provider in your area to find out more about what is available in your area
• Healthpoint www.healthpoint.co.nz – for up to date information about healthcare providers, referral expectations, services offered and common treatments

For more information about supports and services in your area contact the Mental Health Foundation resource and information service during office hours:

www.mentalhealth.org.nz
info@mentalhealth.org.nz
09 623 4812