Frequently asked questions

If you feel mentally unwell, your best starting point is usually your GP (family doctor). GPs are trained to assess, treat and manage many mental health issues. Your GP can refer you to your local community mental health service or elsewhere if needed. They may be able to support you to manage your mental health without needing to refer you to other services.

Your local community mental health team provides free mental health services and is usually run at the hospital. There may be specialist Māori, Pacific Island, Adult, Older Persons and Child & Adolescent mental health services. You will usually need to be referred by your GP who will need to assess you first and check if you meet the referral criteria set out by the service.

Find more information on our page about Accessing Mental Health Services.

We’ve listed some directories where you can find a therapist on our page about Accessing Mental Health Services. The Mental Health Foundation does not employ therapists and cannot recommend particular organisations or individuals. We provide information to help you to make your own choice. 

Have a look at our Community Support Groups page to find free mental health support organisations near you. Your GP may know of others, or you could contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Have a look at our Community Support Groups page to find free mental health support organisations near you. You could contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

To find out about your rights, or to make a complaint about a health service, contact the Health & Disability Commissioner's Advocacy Service.

If you’re very worried about someone’s immediate safety, the quickest way to get support out to them is by contacting your local police with their name and location. Your police can talk to other police stations around the world quickly through Interpol.

Otherwise, sharing a number for a helpline is a great way to offer support. The Find a Helpline directory is a useful tool for finding helpline numbers around the world.

If you are under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, you can request a visit from a District Inspector who will advise you of your rights and the review processes. 

Changing Minds has very useful information about the Act on their website including a pamphlet about your rights when under the Mental Health Act.

You can contact your local Community Law Centre for free legal advice. They have in depth information mental health laws and your rights on their website. 

Aotearoa Disability Law offers a free specialist legal service and can give you free legal advice about your rights in regards to the Mental Health Act.

District inspectors are lawyers who can advise you of your rights when under the Mental Health Act. They are the watchdogs of patients’ rights, ensuring the Mental Health Act is correctly applied and the rights of individuals are respected and upheld. On the Ministry of Health website you will find the latest Directory of District Inspectors along with guidelines for their role.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can contact the Human Rights Commission  on 0800 496 877.

You can contact your local Community Law Centre for free legal advice. They have in depth information mental health laws and your rights on their website.

Aotearoa Disability Law offers a free specialist legal service and can give you free legal advice about your rights in regards to the Mental Health Act. 

For complaints about mental health services, contact the Health and Disability Advocacy Service on 0800 555 050.

There is a Code of Rights issued by the Health and Disability Commissioner that outlines the rights of users of any health and disability service. If you feel your rights have been breached, you can contact the Health and Disability Advocacy Service on 0800 555 050.

If you have concerns about a health or disability service, the Health and Disability Commission Advocacy Service offers independent advocates who can give you information on your rights and support you to make a complaint.

Order your free mental health resources online from our resource shop.