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Helpline for People and Their Whānau

National Helplines
  • Help Line5Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 
  • Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
  • Healthline – 0800 611 116
  • Samaritans – 0800 726 666 
  • Sexual Harm Helpline – 0800 044 334  Safe to talk  operating 24/7 for anyone impacted by sexual harm. Free call or text 4334 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Depression Specific Helplines
  • Help Line6Depression 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
Helplines for Children and Young People
  • Help Line4Youthline – 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, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available from 5pm–11pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays.
  • Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
  • Please click here for a full list of services available for rangatahi / youth
Help for Parents, Whanau and Friends
  • Help Line3Commonground – 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 for parents/whānau seeking support, advice and practical strategies on all parenting concerns. Anonymous, non-judgemental and confidential.
  • Family Services 211 Helpline –  0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area.
  • Skylight – 0800 299 100 for support through trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays.
  • Supporting Families In Mental Illness –  For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825. Find other regions' contact details here.
Other specialist helplines
  • Help Line2Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or online chat
  • Are You OK – 0800 456 450  family violence helpline
  • Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655
  • Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) 
  • Seniorline – 0800 725 463 A free information service for older people
  • 0508MUSICHELP – The Wellbeing Service is a 24/7 online, on the phone and in-person counselling service fully funded by the NZ Music Foundation and provided free of charge to those in the Kiwi music community who can't access the help they need due to hardship and other circumstances. Call 0508 MUSICHELP.
  • Shine –  0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline
  • Quit Line – 0800 778 778 smoking cessation help
  • Vagus Line – 0800 56 76 666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon – 2pm). Promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence
  • Women's Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)
  • Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence
  • Sexual Abuse – 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault)
Warmlines for consumers of mental health services
  • Help Line1Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
  • Canterbury and West Coast – 03 379 8415 / 0800 899 276 (1pm to midnight, seven nights)
  • Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday)
  • Auckland Central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight, seven nights)
Sexuality or gender identity helpline