Support services

Below is a list of some of the telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help. All services are free and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise stated.

For counselling and support

• Need to talk?(external link) Free call or text 1737 any time
• Lifeline(external link) – 0800 543 354
• Samaritans(external link) – 0800 726 666

For children and young people

• Youthline(external link) – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
  (for young people, and their parents, whānau and friends)
• What's Up(external link) – 0800 942 8787
  (for 5–18 year olds; 1 pm to 11 pm)
• The Lowdown (external link)– visit the website, email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626 (emails and text messages will be responded to between 12 noon and 12 midnight)
• SPARX(external link) – an online self-help tool that teaches young people the key skills needed to help combat depression and anxiety

For help with specific issues

• Depression.org.nz(external link) – includes The Journal free online self-help tool
• Chinese Lifeline – 0800 888 880
  (for people who speak Mandarin or Cantonese)
• OUTLine NZ(external link) – 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE)
  (for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends).
• Alcohol Drug Helpline(external link) – 0800 787 797
  (for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm)
• Women's Refuge Crisisline(external link) – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
  (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)
• Shakti Crisis Line(external link) – 0800 742 584
  (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence)
• Rape Crisis(external link) – 0800 883 300
  (for support after rape or sexual assault)
• PlunketLine(external link) – 0800 933 922
  (support for new parents, including mothers experiencing postnatal depression)
• Alzheimers New Zealand(external link) - 0800 004 001
  (for dementia support)

• Dementia New Zealand(external link) - 0800 433 636
  (supports the delivery of high-quality services by organisations working in the community)

For families, whānau, friends and supporters

• Skylight(external link)– 0800 299 100
  (for support through trauma, loss and grief; 9 am to 5 pm weekdays)
• Supporting Families In Mental Illness(external link) – 0800 732 825
  (for families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness)
• Common Ground(external link) – a central hub providing parents, family, whānau and friends with access to information, tools and support to help a young person who’s struggling
• Mental Health Foundation(external link) – for more information about supporting someone in distress, looking after your mental health and wellbeing, and working towards recovery

• GROW - Mental Wellbeing (external link)– support groups that provide a program for mental wellbeing and personal growth and offer a network of friends for mutual support 

Ministry of Health – crisis assessment teams webpage(external link)

Ministry of Health – helplines(external link)

• Need to talk? (1737 – free call or text)
• The Depression Helpline (0800 111 757)
• Healthline (0800 611 116)
• Lifeline (0800 543 354)
• Samaritans (0800 726 666)
• Youthline (0800 376 633)
• Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797)