Where to get help
& support right now
People Who You Can Talk To | Resources and support for you
We encourage you to reach out and ask for help if you need it, via free text and by phone.
Or you could talk to a friend or caregiver, your school-based health service, counsellor or a trusted teacher.
Free text number 5626
The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. The site includes:
Helpful information on anxiety, depression.
Guidance on other issues relevant to young people, such as bullying and family relationships.
Quick steps to help build healthy mental wellbeing.
Places to go to get help.
Information for anyone worried about a friend.
A moderated forum for young people to share stories and experiences and provide peer-to-peer support.
A free-text service.
Aunty Dee is a free online tool for anyone who needs some help working through a problem. It doesn’t matter what the problem is, you can use Aunty Dee to help you work it through.
Helplines for children and young people
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor.
To talk to a trained counsellor 24/7 call the Depression helpline – 0800 111 757.
To get help from a registered nurse 24/7 call Healthline – 0800 611 116.
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
What's Up – 0800 942 8787, (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1pm–10pm and weekends, 3pm–10pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
Mental health services
People can be referred to mental health services by their doctor, their school’s pastoral team or their school nurse or counsellor.
All DHBs now fund primary mental health services for young people (12 to 19 year olds) regardless of enrolment with a family doctor.
Mental health crisis services can be accessed by calling the phone number relevant to where you live.
If someone needs urgent help, do not hesitate to call the crisis service, or in a life-threatening situation, call 111immediately.
Depression.org.nz – Free text number 4202
This website helps New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety. This website is part of a national public health programme, the National Depression Initiative. It includes The Journal – an online self-help programme.
Like Minds, Like Mine is a national anti-stigma campaign. The aim of this programme is to increase social inclusion and to reduce stigma and discrimination towards people with experience of mental illness.
Helplines
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time.
Talk to a trained counsellor or call:
the Depression helpline – 0800 111 757
Alcohol drug helpline – 0800 787 797
Gambling helpline – 0800 654 655
Healthline – 0800 611 116 – to get help from a registered nurse 24/7.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354
WorkPlace
Free online mental health training for managers is available now
programs to create positive workplace culture to build morale and encourage people to seek help early
training and resources to help everyone build skills to stay well at work
mental health support services with trained counsellors or psychologists
Central Otago Mental Health – 03-440 0010
Queenstown Lakes Mental Health – 03- 441 0010
Lifeline.org.nz 24/7 Helpline 0800lifeline 0800543354
Or text free HELP(4357)