Mental health support

Mental health support

  • Support services and information to help individuals and family/whānau maintain their mental health and live well.
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1737(external link)
Need to talk? Free call or text any time 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor or talk to a peer support(external link)(external link) worker. The service is completely free.

0800 What’s Up?(external link)
Free professional counselling line for children and youth aged 5 to 18 years, with a chat service on the website. Phone:0800‑942‑8787

A Girl Called Hope(external link)
This service works with young women ≥16 years old facing mental health challenges. They provide well‑being support; build skills, resilience, and self-esteem; and run a variety of personal development courses, such as "Pathways to Hope(external link)(external link)" and "Wellbeing Skills Short Courses(external link)(external link)".

Amigos Peer Support Group(external link)
A mental health peer support group run by volunteers in the Wellington region. It offers groups and activities for people who have experienced mental distress, as well as friendship, help with recovery and a stepping stone to integration within the community.

Aoake te Rā – Bereaved by suicide service((external link)
A free service that provides support and manaaki to individuals, whānau and communities who've lost someone to suicide. Trained providers give support face to face, online or over the phone.

Anxiety NZ(external link)
Freephone the 24hr support line on 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389). Education and support for family members or friends of people living with anxiety disorders and related issues.

Aroā Wellbeing(external link) Te Aka Whai Ora, NZ (2023)
An online resource and activities library developed by rangatahi Māori, for rangatahi Māori, to support young people to improve their oranga wellbeing

Asian Health Services(external link)

Phone (09) 486 8314. Health services and health information for the Asian population.

Atareira(external link)
Atareira is a charitable trust with a 40 year history of providing mental health and addictions support to individuals, family, whānau, and transitional housing support in the Wellington region of Aotearoa New Zealand. Phone (04) 499 1049.

Autism New Zealand Inc(external link)
Support, training, advocacy, resources and information on autism spectrum disorders including Asperger's syndrome. Their website contains phone numbers for local branches throughout the country.

Balance NZ(external link)
Phone (06) 345 4488. Online support groups for all those who have lived experience of bipolar disorder, depression and other forms of mental distress. Also includes information, links, education, training, advocacy and research.

Common Ground(external link)  
A website to assist parents, whānau, and friends to recognise and understand the difficult situations that young people experience in their lives.

Depression Helpline(external link)
Free confidential support for depression and anxiety provided by trained counsellors, available 24 hours, 7 days.
Phone: 0800‑376‑633
Free text: 4202

Family Mental Health Support Inc South Canterbury(external link)
Phone 0800 732 000 or email office@famhs.nz.
A free support service that offers a range of support options that might include information and education about mental illness and addiction, problem-solving, crisis planning and liaison/advocacy with other services. Referrals come from all sources, including self referrals.

GROW Mental Health(external link)
Phone or text 021 049 1360. A free service providing community support groups for mental illness and personal development, face-to-face or online. Illnesses include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, addictive behaviours and psychosis.

HealthWEST(external link)
The HealthWEST Youth Health Hub provides a range of free health services for young people aged 12 to 24 years living in West Auckland, North Shore, and Rodney. Services include counselling, family support, youth workers, and group programmes for young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.

Lifeline(external link)
Free confidential support provided by trained counsellors, available 24 hours, 7 days.
Phone 0800‑543‑354
Free text: 4357

Like Minds, Like Mine NZ(external link)

A national, publicly funded programme aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Includes personal stories, resources, tips, directory and more.

ManAlive(external link)

Freephone 0800 TANE ORA or 0800 826 367. Run by men for men, Man Alive's team is dedicated to working with men in straightforward and practical ways. Offers youth and non violence programmes, counselling, activities and much more.

MASH Trust(external link)
Freephone 0800 627 4878 or email manawatu@mashtrust.org.nz. Provides a wide range of support services for people with mental health conditions, intellectual or physical disabilities, alcohol and addiction struggles and youth respite care throughout the lower North Island in the Wellington, Kapiti, Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Hawkes Bay regions. 

Mental Health Advocacy and Peer Support(external link)

Phone: (03) 365 9479 or (03) 366 5815. Peer support for people experiencing mental illness including anxiety and bipolar disorder, mental distress and/or those with substance addiction who are searching for recovery strategies. Peer advocacy for those who are struggling with life challenges such as benefit issues, access to appropriate health care, tenancy problems, etc.  

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand(external link)

Phone (09) 623 4812 (Auckland) or (03) 366 6936 (Christchurch). Get information on mental health conditions, where to get help and how to support those you love and care about. Includes information officers who are happy to point you in the right direction to find help. 

Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a Rua Incorporated(external link)
Phone 06 374 6860 or email tamakinuiarua@rangitane.co.nz. Provides a wide range of support services to whānau ranging from alcohol & drug, smoking, mental health, asthma to screening in the Tararua region. 

Samaritans Aotearoa New Zealand(external link)
Free confidential support provided by trained counsellors, available 24 hours, 7 days. Phone: 0800‑726‑666

Skylight Trust(external link)
Counselling services for people in all parts of New Zealand, including youth who are going through hard times. They specialise in grief, loss, and trauma.

Te Kaha o Te Rangatahi Trust(external link)
A one stop shop youth hub for Māori and Pacific rangatahi living in Counties Manukau and Auckland districts. A variety of free services focus on youth health, wellness, education, employment and development.

The Lowdown(external link)
This is a service designed for teenagers. Experienced counsellors are available 24 hours, 7 days by email (team@thelowdown.co.nz) or text on 5626

Yellow Brick Road (external link)
Phone 0800 732 825 (Auckland) or 0800 876 682 (Christchurch). Provides self evaluation, resources, videos, regional services, events, brochures, free support, education and information for family and whanau. 

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