Call 111 (in New Zealand) if you, your child or someone else is in an unsafe or life-threatening situation right now. You can also go to your local emergency department.
Where to get urgent help for your child
If your child or young person is experiencing a mental health emergency contact your local crisis team.
Mental health crisis phone numbers in your region
What to do if your child has a mental health emergency
If someone has attempted suicide or you’re worried about their immediate safety, do the following.
Call your local mental health crisis assessment team or go with them to the emergency department (ED) of your nearest hospital.
If they are in immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111 and ask for urgent medical help.
Try to stay calm, take some deep breaths.
Stay with them until support arrives. Let them know you care.
Keep them talking - listen and ask questions without judging.
Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use (such as ropes, pills, guns, car keys, knives). Make sure you are safe.
Mental health crisis phone numbers in your region
Where to get non-urgent help for your child
Going to your health professional is the best first step. They can give you advice about where to get more help. They may arrange an appointment with a counsellor in the community or a mental health service in your area. These will be services that work with tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).
The following organisations provide helpline services and some also offer web chat, text and email services.
Youthline
Youthline offers a free 24/7 helpline service.
Free call 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
Youthline also offers free face-to-face counselling services. Find out more, or chat via webchat, on the Youthline website.
Depression.org.nz
The depression.org.nz website provides information, validation, self-tests and practical advice for navigating depression and anxiety.
They have a free helpline. Phone 0800 111 757 or text 4202 for support from trained counsellors.
Anxiety NZ
Anxiety NZ provides support, treatment, and education for anxiety, depression, OCD, phobias, and other conditions related to anxiety.
They have a free helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the helpline on 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY).
Whatsup?
0800 What's Up is a free kids and teens helpline for young people aged between 5 and 18. Free phone counselling is available on 0800 942 8787 between 11am to 11pm every day of the year. Online chat is available between 11am to 10:30pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays.
SPARX
SPARX is a self-help e-therapy tool for rangatahi (young people) aged between 12 and 19. SPARX also has a helpline where you can speak with a counsellor - Call 0508 4 SPARX (0508 477 279) or free text 3110.
1737
1737 is a free, confidential helpline in New Zealand. Text or call 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor or peer support worker. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Suicide Crisis Line
If you, or someone you know, may be thinking about suicide, call the Suicide Crisis Line for support from a trained counsellor.
Contact them on 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865). The Suicide Crisis Line is a free, nationwide service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OUTLine
OUTLine NZ is an all-ages rainbow mental health organisation. It offers a free peer support phone line, a transgender peer support service for trans and non-binary people in Auckland, and specialist face-to-face and video counselling exploring gender and sexuality for rainbow people across Aotearoa.
People can call 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463) any evening between 6pm and 9pm to talk to a trained volunteer from the LGBTIQ+ community.
Yellow Brick Road
Yellow Brick Road provides mental health support for families and whānau. They offer free information, resources, and peer support to help parents and caregivers when a loved one is recovering from illness or facing mental health challenges.
Mental Health Foundation
See the Mental Health Foundation's website for more information on support services available around New Zealand.
