Accessing Mental Health Services

If you are concerned about your mental wellbeing, the best starting point is usually your GP (family doctor). GPs are trained to assess, treat and support you to manage your mental health. They can also refer you to community mental health services or a specialist if needed.

Other options to access support are through your local Māori health provider; Whānau Ora provider; Kia Piki te Ora coordinator; marae, hapū or iwi service; or school counsellor or a counselling service. Please read on to find out more.   

• Search the Healthpoint database for GPs or specialists in your area.
  Healthpoint provides up-to-date information about healthcare providers, referral expectations and services offered.
  
  
• Search the database at wellbeingsupport.health.nz  
  This database lists free services funded through the Access and Choice programme and includes kaupapa Māori, Pacific-led, Youth and GP services (including HIPs).  
  
  
• Call the national free Healthline service on 0800 611 116
  Healthline is available 24/7 to talk through your health concerns and help you decide what to do next.   
  
  
• Try online primary health providers such as Tend Health.  

Tend Health offers free video call support for mild to moderate mental health concerns.

Your local community mental health team provides free mental health services. This service is usually run at the hospital and may include specialist Māori, Pasifika, Adult, Older Persons and Child & Adolescent mental health services. In most cases, your GP will need to refer you, after they have assessed you and checked that you meet the referral criteria.
The community mental health team also run the nationwide Mental Health Crisis service, who you can contact in a mental health emergency (once you have been referred). 

Some regions in Aotearoa offer Peer Support Hubs or Crisis Cafés. Often run by local organisations, the Hubs offer a safe and welcoming space for people to visit and talk to a peer support worker or community worker about their mental health and addiction concerns. Free, non-clinical, no referral or appointment needed. 

Examples are Te Piringa Āhuru Peer Support Hub in Manukau or Aunty’s Community Cafe in Whanganui.

• To find low-cost or free counselling in your area search the Family Services Directory, wellbeingsupport.health.nz, or contact your local Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB). 
• Your GP or health practitioner can link you to local low-cost services. They can also support you to apply for a WINZ disability allowance that may include access to up to 10 free counselling sessions or to additional funding, if recommended. 
• If you are in paid employment, you may have access to free confidential counselling through your company’s employee assistance programme (EAP) provider – talk to your employer. 
• Many schools and tertiary institutes (e.g., universities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa) offer free counselling services. 
• Local Women’s or Men’s Centres may have details of local low-cost counselling practices or offer low-cost counselling themselves. 
• Local youth centres often have health hubs that offer counselling services. 
• ACC funds support following sexual violence, if it occurred in New Zealand. Visit the Find Support website to find an ACC-registered therapist.

Search for a therapist using databases on the websites listed below. When you work with a therapist privately you will have to pay for the appointment. You may be able to access the WINZ Disability Allowance to help cover some of the costs.