Helplines

Tips for using Helplines

If you find that using a helpline doesn’t help, try not to be put off trying again. Sometimes it takes a few goes to find the right person, so keep trying!
Helpline services can get really busy; therefore, they may not be able to answer your call or text quickly. If this happens to you, try to be patient and contact them again later. In the meantime, try a different helpline!
You don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to; if they ask you a question that you feel uncomfortable answering, then just let them know that you’d rather not answer; that’s completely OK.
Remember everything that you tell them is kept confidential. The only time that they would break this confidentiality is if you give them a substantial reason to believe that you or someone else is at imminent risk of serious harm.
If you, or somebody you know, is in serious danger, pick up the phone and call 111. It can seem scary at first, but the people who work there are kind and will do their best to help you out.

The Low Down

Contact their 24/7 free helpline:

Call 0800 111 757
Text 5626
Email team@thelowdown.co.nz
Webchat on their website

"Sometimes life’s ups and downs are more than just the usual ups and downs.

If you’re stuck feeling bad, we’ll help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. Whatever’s going on, you’ll find ideas and people who can help you get unstuck".

Youthline

Call 0800 376 633
Free text 234
Email talk@youthline.co.nz
Online chat on their website

Youthline answers phone calls at any time of the day or night. The text service is available from 8 am to midnight. You can chat with a counsellor online from 10 am - 10 pm using webchat. You can also email Youthline and they will try to reply to your email within 24 hours. They employ paid staff as well as volunteers.

What's Up

This service is for 5-18 year olds.

Call 0800 942 8787

Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 12–11 pm and Weekends, 3 pm–11 pm

Online chat is available from 3 pm–10 pm, 7 days a week.

Staff here are fully qualified professional adults. You will be asked to give a name and email address when you open a web chat session but it’s OK if you don’t answer these questions.

Kidsline

0800 54 37 54

This is a phone service for kids up to 14, run by trained youth volunteers.

Open all hours; calls between 4 pm and 9 pm weekdays will be answered by a Kidsline buddy.

"If you want to talk about how you're feeling, or what's going on in your life, call Kidsline. We're here especially for you. We won't tell you what to do; we'll just listen, and help you explore and support you to figure out your options, or help you see things in a different way."

1737

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 anytime, 24 hours a day. You will get to talk to a trained counsellor. Anyone feeling stressed, anxious, worried, depressed, or needing advice on mental health or addictions issues can call or text.

Depression.org

Free 24/7 depression helpline:

Call 0800 111 757
Text 4202

Visit their website for more information.

"When we are anxious or depressed, it can change the way we think, feel and act. Dealing with the tough times can be hard, but you’re not alone. Take a small step by getting ideas or support on how to take care of yourself and others".

Anxiety.org

Free 24/7 anxiety helpline:

0800 269 4389

Visit their website for more information, advice and resources.

"We’re here to help the one in four Kiwis who experience anxiety, depression, panic attacks, OCD or phobias.

We use a combination of one-to-one therapy with qualified psychologists, workshops, peer support, community education and a helpline".

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call - 0800 828 865

This is a free, nationwide service available 24/7.

If you think you, or someone you know, may be thinking about suicide, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline for support.

If you believe either you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, please call 111 immediately.

Healthline

Call - 0800 611 116

This is a free 24/7 phone line for health advice, staffed by registered nurses.

Outline

Call - 0800 688 5463

10 am to 9 pm weekdays, 6 pm – 9 pm weekends

Outline is a free and confidential phone line to discuss topics around gender and sexuality.

Netsafe

Netsafe is a New Zealand organisation dedicated to online safety. For help or advice, or to report an incident, you can:

Call toll-free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)
Email help@netsafe.org.nz
Complete an online contact form
Text Netsafe to 4282

Netsafe’s contact centre is available to help from 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 5 pm on weekends.

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