Mental Health Support

If you live in Aotearoa New Zealand and you or someone you know is talking about suicide, is unsafe or in an emergency situation, please call 111 now, or

  • Go to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED)
  • Phone your local DHB Mental Health Crisis Team (CATT Team)
  • For more info, go here.

For non-emergencies, call 105. When to call 105.

Counselling Services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whānau and friends.

  • 1737 Free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained professional counsellor at any time 24/7. Free counselling service: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, feeling down or
    overwhelmed. Highly recommended as first point of contact for callers seeking help.
  • Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 or text 8681 (24/7); online chat at www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz  If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking or drug taking, the Alcohol and Drug Helpline can assist with information, insight and support.
  • Anxiety New Zealand Helpline 0800 269 4389. Online therapy and Covid-19 help resources available. www.anxiety.org.nz
  • Are You Ok? Information about services that can help you if you are experiencing or witnessing violence, or want to change your own behaviour 9am – 11pm every day 0800 456 450
  • Asian Helpline – 0800 862 342, Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm.
  • Auckland Central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight, seven nights). Peer support for those with a mental illness.
  • Canterbury and West Coast 03 379 8415 / 0800 899 276 (1pm to midnight, seven nights). Peer support for those with a mental illness.
  • Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 to talk to a trained counsellor for support or to ask any questions. www.depression.org.nz/get-help
  • EDANZ – improving outcomes for people with eating disorders and their families. Freephone 0800 2 EDANZ or 0800 233 269, or in Auckland 09 522 2679. Or email info@ed.org.nz.
  • EAP Services Employee Assistance Programme – providing practical assistance to employees when personal or work issues arise that may impact on their ability to do their job or affect their wellbeing (confidential counselling services across NZ and internationally). Freephone: 0800 327 669 www.eapservices.co.nz
  • Gambling Helpline 24-hour Freephone: 0800 654 655 www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
  • Healthline – 0800 611 116
  • Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE). Lifeline trained counsellors deal with many kinds of issues including psychological and emotional distress, financial and work issues, marriage and family/whanau problems and with callers who are lonely, ill, depressed or the victims of violence or abuse. Text ‘Help’ to 4357 www.lifeline.org.nz
  • OutLine All ages rainbow mental health organisation helpline 6 – 9pm 0800 688 5463 or info@outline.org.nz
  • 0508MUSICHELPS – The Wellbeing Service is a 24/7 online, on the phone and in-person counselling service fully funded by the NZ Music Foundation and provided free of charge to those in the Kiwi music community who can’t access the help they need due to hardship and other circumstances. Call 0508 MUSICHELP
  • Parent Help – 0800 568 856 for parents/whānau seeking support, advice and practical strategies on all parenting concerns. Anonymous, non-judgemental and confidential.
  • Quit Line – 0800 778 778 smoking cessation help.
  • Rural Support Trust Helpline 0800 787 254. Chat to someone who understands, because they’ve been there. www.rural-support.org.nz
  • Salvation Army 0800 53 00 00. Supporting families and individuals in need with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes and other comfort and support.
    www.salvationarmy.org.nz
  • Samaritans 0800 726 666. Confidential, non-religious and non-judgmental support to anyone who may be feeling depressed, lonely, or may be contemplating suicide. www.samaritans.org.nz
  • Seniorline – 0800 725 463 A free information service for older people https://www.seniorline.org.nz/
  • Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence).
  • Shine – 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline.
  • Skylight – 0800 299 100 for support through trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays.
  • SPARX An interactive self-help online tool for young people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety: www.sparx.org.nz 0508 477 279 or free text to 3110
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
  • Yellow Brick Road (formerly Supporting Families in Mental Illness) 0800 633 522
  • The Lowdown Support for young people experiencing depression or anxiety. Text 5626 thelowdown.co.nz
  • Vagus Line – 0800 56 76 666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon – 2pm). Promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence.
  • Victim Support 0800 842 846. Free 24/7 support. nationaloffice@victimsupport.org.nz www.victimsupport.org.nz
  • Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday). Peer support for those with a mental illness.
  • What’s Up 0800 What’s Up (formerly Kidsline) Free counselling service for tamariki and rangatahi. Mon – Sun 11am – 11pm. www.whatsup.co.nz 0800 942 8787 whatsup@barnados.org.nz
  • Women’s Refuge Crisis Line – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) For women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family.
  • Youthline Mental Health and Addictions Service. Youthline works with young people, their families and those supporting young people. Call 0800 376 633; Free text 234; talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat at www.youthline.co.nz

In emergencies always phone 111

Need more info? Contact us:

0800 777 797 centre@carers.net.nz