Help and Information in New Zealand

This directory is designed for information purposes only. The BluePages team is not responsible for, and does not necessarily endorse or recommend the practitioners and services listed here (see Disclaimer). Although we strive to keep the directory up to date, no guarantee is given about the relevance and accuracy of the directory listings provided.

Please contact your General Practitioner or Primary Care Health Provider in the first instance.

Emergency help

See the NZ Ministry of Health webpage for information on accessing mental health services: www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services

In the hardcopy white pages of the telephone book, turn to the last green striped section at the front entitled 'Hospital and other Health Service providers'.

Psychologists & mental health practitioners

Talking Works

  • Website: www.talkingworks.co.nz
  • Talking Works is building a nationwide directory of professional counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychologists. All practitioners listed in the directory belong to an appropriate Professional Association.

RANZCP Find a Psychiatrist online search directory

Telephone counselling & helplines

Depression Helpline

  • Free call: 0800 111 757
  • Website: www.depression.org.nz
  • Call the Depression Helpline to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions.

Lifeline

  • Free call: 0800 543 354 (24 hour service)
  • Website: www.lifeline.co.nz
  • Free, professional and confidential telephone counselling service. Can provide affordable face to face counselling in Auckland.

Kidsline

  • Phone: 0800 KIDSLINE or 0800 543 754
  • Website: www.kidsline.org.nz
  • Free and confidential telephone counselling service designed for children. It is staffed between 4pm and 6pm on school nights by trained year 12 and 13 volunteer counsellors called Kidsline Buddies.

Youthline

What's Up

  • Free call: 0800 WHATSUP or 0800 942 87 87
  • Website: www.whatsup.co.nz
  • Telephone counselling service for 5 to 18 year olds. Calls are answered by trained and supervised professional counsellors. Operates from noon to midnight, seven days a week.

Self help, resources, and consumer organisations

Balance NZ: Bipolar & Depression Network

  • Website: www.balance.org.nz
  • A charitable trust that provides support, education, advocacy and training to people (tangata whaiora) affected by bipolar disorder or depression in New Zealand.

Beacon

  • Website: beacon.anu.edu.au
  • Provides consumers and professionals with information about e-health online applications for mental health and physical health disorders. Websites throughout the world are reviewed and ranked by a panel of health experts. Consumers can also submit rankings and comments. Beacon is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

  • Free call: 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)
  • Website: www.cab.org.nz
  • An independent community organisation whose member bureaux and specialist services around New Zealand provide information, advice, advocacy and support to individuals. The services are free, impartial and confidential. Visit the website to find a local CAB service.

CARE NZ – Addiction Treatment and Recovery

  • Phone: 0800 787 797 (Alcohol Drug Helpline)
  • Website: www.carenz.co.nz
  • For anyone with affected by alcoholism or drug abuse. CARNE NZ is staffed by trained and qualified alcohol and drug counsellors who have many years of experience in working with people who need help.

e-couch Personal Self Help

  • Website: ecouch.anu.edu.au
  • An interactive, evidence-based, self help program that includes modules for social anxiety and generalised anxiety, as well as depression. It provides self help interventions drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity. e-couch was developed by researchers at the Australian National University.

moodgym Training Program

  • Website: moodgym.com.au
  • An interactive, evidence-based program for depression which incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy. Research has found moodgym to be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression in users (See Online Prevention).  moodgym was developed by researchers at the Australian National University.

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

  • Website: www.mentalhealth.org.nz
  • Provides free information and training, and advocate for policies and services that support people with experience of mental illness, and also their families/whanau and friends.

Help for Māori & Pacific Island Peoples

Raeburn House

Te Rau Matatini

  • Website: www.matatini.co.nz
  • A national Maori health workforce development organisation that aims to enhance whanau ora, mental health and wellbeing. The website includes information on health and wellbeing, as a national list of mental health and addiction services.

Help for young people

Kidsline

  • Phone: 0800 KIDSLINE or 0800 543 754
  • Website: www.kidsline.org.nz
  • Free and confidential telephone counselling service designed for children. It is staffed between 4pm and 6pm on school nights by trained year 12 and 13 volunteer counsellors called Kidsline Buddies.

The LowDown

  • Free text: 5626 (from midday to midnight, 7 days a week)
  • Website: www.thelowdown.co.nz
  • The website is designed for young people in New Zealand. It provides information, personal stories, multimedia, and a moderated message board.

What's Up

  • Free call: 0800 WHATSUP or 0800 942 878
  • Website: www.whatsup.co.nz
  • Telephone counselling service for 5 to 18 year olds. Calls are answered by trained and supervised professional counsellors. Operates from noon to midnight.

Youthline

  • Free call: 0800 37 66 33
  • Website: www.youthline.co.nz
  • Free, confidential, non-judgemental telephone counselling service.

Support groups

Grow

  • Website: grow.org.nz
  • Provides weekly group meetings throughout New Zealand for people with depression. Visit the website for contact details of your nearest Grow Centre.