Helplines & Support

Below is a list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help.
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Helpline services are available right now in New Zealand that offer support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whānau and friends.

All the services listed here are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.

National helplines

Need 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).

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.

Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).

Helplines Brochure

Helplines and local mental health services

A directory of helplines and local mental health service contact details.

Depression-specific helplines

Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).

Sexuality or gender identity helpline

OutLine Aotearoa– 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support and online chat support between 6pm-9pm every day.

Helplines for children and young people

Youthline – 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 every day of the week, 365 days of the year, 11am–11pm. Online chat is available from 11am–10:30pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays.

Help for parents, family and friends

EDANZ – improving outcomes for people with eating disorders and their families. Freephone 0800 2 EDANZ or 0800 233 269, or in Auckland 09 522 2679. Or email info@ed.org.nz.

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.

Yellow Brick Road – Supporting families towards mental wellbeing. 


Find a Helpline – Search for international helplines.

Other specialist helplines

Healthline – 0800 611 116 Health advice from professional healthcare providers.

Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or online chat.

Are You OK – 0800 456 450 family violence helpline.

Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655

Anxiety NZ – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY).

Seniorline – 0800 725 463 A free information service for older people.

0508MUSICHELPS – 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).

Safe to Talk – 0800 044 334 or free text 4334 for help to do with sexual harm. Available 24/7 and staffed by trained counsellors.

Peer support for people experiencing mental illness

Talk to someone with lived experience of mental illness or distress who is trained to provide support.


1737 Peer Support Call 1737 and select the ‘peer support’ option in the first stage of the call (Daily between 2pm-10pm).

Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday).

Auckland Central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight, seven nights).