Directory of Help

Mental Health Resources — Aotearoa New Zealand

Find your
support.

You are not alone. This directory is curated by Scendent to help you or someone you care about find the right mental health support — fast. All resources are NZ-based and verified.

In crisis right now?These services are available 24/7 — free, confidential, no referral needed.
24/7 Crisis & Immediate Support
1737 — Need to Talk?Free 24/7

Free call or text 1737 anytime to talk with a trained counsellor. NZ's national mental health helpline. No referral, no cost, no judgment.

Call/Text: 1737Hours: 24/7Cost: Free
Visit 1737.org.nz ↗
Lifeline AotearoaCrisis 24/7

Confidential crisis support over the phone. Trained counsellors available around the clock for anyone in distress, crisis, or needing someone to talk to.

Call: 0800 543 354Hours: 24/7Cost: Free
Visit lifeline.org.nz ↗
YouthlineYouth 24/7

Free support for young people in NZ. Phone, text, email and online chat. Peer support workers who understand what young people are going through.

Call: 0800 376 633Text: 234Cost: Free
Visit youthline.co.nz ↗
Suicide Crisis HelplineCrisis 24/7

Dedicated support for people having thoughts of suicide, or who are concerned about someone. Staffed by trained crisis counsellors.

Call: 0508 828 865Hours: 24/7Cost: Free
More info ↗
Safe to TalkSexual Harm 24/7

Specialist support for people affected by sexual harm. Confidential, non-judgmental. Available by phone, text, email or webchat.

Call: 0800 044 334Text: 4334Cost: Free
Visit safetotalk.nz ↗
What’s UpUnder 18 — Free

Free phone and online chat counselling for children and young people aged 5–18. Staffed by trained counsellors who understand young people.

Call: 0800 942 8787Hours: 11am–11pm dailyCost: Free
Visit whatsup.co.nz ↗
Mental Health & Wellbeing Organisations
Mental Health Foundation NZEducation

Resources, tools, and information to support mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa. Runs mental health campaigns, provides workplace support, and advocates for system change.

Visit mentalhealth.org.nz ↗
Depression.org.nzSelf-Help

Online resources, self-tests, and information about depression and anxiety. Includes a directory of services and tools you can use right now, for free.

Visit depression.org.nz ↗
Anxiety NZAnxiety

Specialist support for people experiencing anxiety and related disorders. Includes a helpline, online courses, and a network of trained therapists nationwide.

Call: 0800 269 4389
Visit anxiety.org.nz ↗
OCD–NZOCD Support

Support and information for people living with OCD and their whānau. Provides resources, a peer network, and access to specialist therapists trained in ERP.

Visit ocd.org.nz ↗
Eating Disorders Association NZEating Disorders

Support for people living with eating disorders and their families. Helpline staffed by trained counsellors, plus a national directory of specialist practitioners.

Helpline: 0800 2 EDANZ
Visit ed.org.nz ↗
Emerge AotearoaCommunity Services

Community mental health and addiction services across NZ. Works with people who experience mental health challenges, addiction, and other complex needs.

Visit emerge.org.nz ↗
Young People & Rangatahi
Le VaPacific Youth

Suicide prevention and mental health support for Pacific communities in NZ. Culturally responsive services, research, and resources for Pacific young people and their whānau.

Visit leva.co.nz ↗
Tautoko MaiMāori Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention for Māori whānau. Free resources, safe messaging guidelines, and culturally appropriate support for individuals, families, and communities.

Visit tautoko.org.nz ↗
Headspace NZYouth App

Meditation and mindfulness app with evidence-based tools for stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus. Structured courses designed for young people starting their mental health journey.

Visit headspace.com ↗
Gumboot FridayFree Counselling

Free counselling for young people aged under 25 in NZ. No referral needed — book directly online. Funded by donations from the I Am Hope Foundation.

Visit gumbootfriday.com ↗
I Am HopeYouth Mental Health

Working to remove barriers to mental health support for New Zealand youth. School visits, community programmes, and the Gumboot Friday free counselling initiative.

Visit iamhope.org.nz ↗
Student Health ServicesTertiary Students

Free or subsidised mental health support at most NZ universities and polytechnics. Contact your institution's student services to access counselling without a GP referral.

Find your institution ↗
Addiction & Substance Support
Alcohol Drug HelplineFree 24/7

Free and confidential support for anyone affected by alcohol or other drug use. Phone, text or online chat. Helps connect you with local services and treatment options.

Call: 0800 787 797Text: 8681
Visit alcoholdrughelp.org.nz ↗
OdysseyAddiction Services

Residential and community addiction treatment services across New Zealand. Works with young people and adults dealing with alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction.

Visit odyssey.org.nz ↗
Problem Gambling FoundationGambling

Free counselling and support for people affected by gambling harm — for the person gambling and those around them. Available throughout NZ.

Call: 0800 664 262
Visit pgf.nz ↗
LGBTQ+ Support
OUTLine NZLGBTQ+ Helpline

Free and confidential support for LGBTQ+ people and their whānau in Aotearoa. Phone and text helpline staffed by trained volunteers from within the community.

Call: 0800 688 5463Hours: 6pm–9pm daily
Visit outline.org.nz ↗
RainbowYOUTHLGBTQ+ Youth

Auckland-based support for LGBTQ+ youth under 28. Drop-in groups, one-on-one support, and a range of programmes to build connection and resilience.

Visit ry.org.nz ↗
InsideOUTSchools

Works with schools across NZ to create safer, more inclusive environments for rainbow students. Resources for students, teachers, and whānau.

Visit insideout.org.nz ↗
Online Tools & Self-Help
MentemiaNZ App — Free

NZ-built mental wellbeing app by Sir John Kirwan. Daily check-ins, guided activities, and tools for managing stress, anxiety, and low mood. Free to download.

Visit mentemia.com ↗
SparxYouth CBT Game

A free online game for young people aged 12–19 that teaches cognitive behavioural therapy skills in a fun, engaging format. Developed by the University of Auckland.

Visit sparx.org.nz ↗
The LowdownYouth Depression

NZ resource for young people experiencing depression or anxiety. Practical tools, real stories, and easy ways to get help — designed for and by young New Zealanders.

Visit thelowdown.co.nz ↗
Staying on TrackSelf-Management

Free online programme from the Mental Health Foundation to help people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and depression develop skills for self-management.

Visit stayingontrack.org.nz ↗
Find a HelplineGlobal Directory

International directory of verified crisis helplines. Find support in your country, language, or for your specific situation — updated regularly by a trusted global network.

Visit findahelpline.com ↗
Whakarongorau AotearoaTelehealth

NZ's national telehealth service. Delivers mental health support via phone, text, and online chat. Operates 1737, smoking cessation, and several other national helplines.

Visit whakarongorau.nz ↗
Find a Helpline — Live Widget

Use this international helpline finder to locate crisis support in your country or region.

International Helpline Directory

Approved & Promoted by Scendent

All resources in this directory are verified by the Scendent team. If you know a resource that should be listed here, or if you're a practitioner wanting to join our referral network, get in touch.

The community is open

Start Scending Now.

You're only crazy until you prove it. Then you're a genius. Start.