Help

Sometimes you just feel like you can’t take any more. There’s no shame in that – but you need to get help. If you need urgent help now for yourself or a loved one, ring 111 and clearly tell the operator that you or your loved one’s life’s in danger. No one’s going to judge you, but they will take you seriously and act fast to help.

If you don’t feel like you or your loved one’s life’s in danger but things are getting pretty grim, you still need to talk to someone right away. There are trained counsellors who understand how you’re feeling. They’re ready and waiting to help.

We’ve gathered these resources of people who can help you right now.

• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
• Youthline: Free, confidential and non-judgemental. Call 0800 37 66 33, free text 234 or email: talk@youthline.co.nz or visit www.youthline.co.nz/web-chat-counselling.html for rangatahi, parents, grandparents, friends, whānau, teachers, coaches and more
• Depression Helpline: Call 0800 111 757
• Lifeline: Nationwide 24-hour counselling service – call 0800 543 354
• What’s Up: Free helpline and online chat service for young people ages 5–18. They are now open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on 0800 942 8787. Their online chat service is open from 11 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. at https://whatsup.co.nz. They are open every day of the week, 365 days of the year, including public holidays.
• Anxiety Line: 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389) – providing education and support around anxiety.

If you feel like it’s serious but not an emergency, you could talk to your doctor, or a mental health professional (like a psychologist or psychiatrist). There are lots of choices, and lots of people who want to help.