If you or someone you know require help urgently these are some of the options available nationally, although there may be additional supports available in specific areas.
Dial 111
Please call the emergency services if you feel that someone is in immediate danger of harm.
Contact your local DHB
Contact your local District Health Board mental health service, who may be able to offer mental health crisis support and/or advise you on how to access services.
You can find a list of DHB crisis team phone numbers here.
If you present to the Emergency Department of the hospital there are sometimes mental health workers available to assess the person in distress.
Visit your GP
Your GP is often a good point of access to mental health services and can make referrals to the DHBs if you are experiencing or concerned about someone who may be experiencing signs or symptoms or psychosis.
Click here to find out about our ‘Something’s not quite right’ prompt sheet which can help with your initial visit to your GP or mental health professional.
You can get further information about how to find a doctor or mental health professional here.
Help lines
- Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor, for free, day or night (https://1737.org.nz/)
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354, or text HELP to 4357 (https://www.lifeline.org.nz/)
- Lifeline’s Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) – This service helps those thinking about suicide, or those concerned about family/whānau or friends. (https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline)
- Depression and anxiety helpline – 0800 111 757 (available 24/7) or text 4202 (https://depression.org.nz/)
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666 (available 24/7) (https://www.samaritans.org.nz/)
Support for young people
- mentalwealth.nz
- www.youthline.co.nz, call 0800 376 633, text 234, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- www.whatsup.co.nz or call 0800 942 8787
- thelowdown.co.nz, call 0800 111 757, text 5626
You can find a number of additional helplines for different issues at the Mental Health Foundation Website here.