Below is a list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help, including local DHB Mental Health Crisis contact numbers. All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.
National helplines
• Emergency Services - 111
• 1737, need to talk? - Text or Call 1737 – This is New Zealand’s new national mental health & addictions helpline number. The 4-digit number is free to text or call anytime to talk with a trained counsellor, who are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline – 0800 611 116
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Addiction-specific helplines
• Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or online chat
• Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655
Depression-specific helplines
• Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)
• www.depression.org.nz – includes The Journal online help service
• SPARX.org.nz – online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed
Domestic Violence - Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• National Network of Stopping Violence
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women
Sexuality or gender identity helpline
• OUTLine NZ – 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support
Helplines for children and young people
• Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
• thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
• 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.
• Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
Help for parents, family and friends
• Commonground – a website hub providing parents, family, whānau and friends with access to information, tools and support to help a young person who is struggling
• Parent Help – 0800 568 856
DHB Mental Health Crisis Assessment Teams
Community Mental Health Crisis Services - For Emergencies Only.
Mental Health Crisis Phone numbers | ||
DHB | Area Covered | Phone |
Northland | Topuni to North Cape | Whangarei (09) 430 4101 ext. 3537 Monday to Friday 8am – 4.30pm Closed on weekends and public holidays After hours 0800 223 371 |
Waitemata | Wellsford to North Shore | Mental Health Crisis (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7) Henderson (09) 822 8601 North Shore (09) 487 1414 |
Auckland | Auckland City | Mental Health Crisis 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7) |
Counties Manukau | South Auckland to Te Kauwhata | Counties Manukau Mental Health Intake and Assessment Team: (09) 261 3700 |
Waikato | Coromandel, Hamilton to National Park | Hamilton 0800 505 050 (operating 24/7) |
Bay of Plenty | Tauranga, Whakatane to Te Kaha | Tauranga 0800 800 508 Whakatane 0800 774 545 |
Tairawhiti | Hicks Bay to Gisborne | Gisborne (06) 867 2435 / 0800 243500 |
Lakes | Rotorua, Taupo, Turangi | Lakes 0800 166 167 (operating 24/7) |
Hawke’s Bay | Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Waipukurau | Napier, Hastings 0800 112 334 (operating 24/7) |
Taranaki | New Plymouth to Waverly | New Plymouth (06) 753 6139 ext. 7680 |
Whanganui | Ohakune, Whanganui to Bulls | Whanganui 0800 653 358 |
MidCentral | Palmerston North to Waikanae | MidCentral 0800 653 357 |
Wairarapa | Masterton to Martinborough | Wairarapa 0508 432 432 (operating 24/7) |
Hutt Valley | Lower and Upper Hutt | 0800 745 477 (operating 24/7) |
Hutt Valley (04) 566 6999 Lower Hutt (04) 570 9801 | ||
Upper Hutt (04) 587 2860 (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm) | ||
Capital & Coast | Kapiti to Wellington Wellington, Kapiti Coast, Porirua City, Wellington City | Te Haika 0800 745 477 (operating 24/7) |
Nelson Marlborough | Top of South Island to Hanmer Springs, Nelson region from Rai Valley to Korere to Riwaka | Nelson (03) 546 1421 (Monday to Friday 8am – 4:30pm) Nelson Hospital (03) 546 1800. After hours, phone Nelson Hospital and ask for the on-call crisis staff. |
Marlborough, as far as the Clarence River and up to the Lakes and down the Sounds, and as far as Rai Valley | Marlborough – Witherlea Community Team (03) 520 9907 (Monday to Friday 8am – 4:30pm excluding public holidays) Wairau Hospital (03) 520 9999. After hours, ask for crisis team. | |
Golden Bay area, from the top of Takaka Hill to Turimawiwi on the west coast of Golden Bay | Golden Bay – Te Whare Mahana Trust (03) 525 7647 (crisis on-call service operating 24/7) | |
Canterbury | Kaikoura to Ashburton | Christchurch 0800 920 092 (operating 24/7) |
West Coast | West Coast, South Island | Greymouth 0800 757 678 (operating 24/7) |
South Canterbury | Timaru, Mt Cook, Tekapo, Temuka, Waimate Glenavy in the south to Rakaia in the north, and inland as far as Mount Cook | Timaru 0800 277 997 |
Southern | Dunedin, Milford Sound south to Stewart Island | Mental Health Services 0800 467 846 press 1 for Southland, press 2 for Otago. |