Getting help for your mental health

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu OraVerified 16 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

You can get free help if you feel stressed, anxious or low, or if you are worried about someone else. The main service is 1737. You can call or text 1737 for free, and trained counsellors answer 24 hours a day. Many areas also have free mental health support services that you can contact without a referral. If someone is in danger right now, call 111.

Key facts

Emergencies: If you or someone else is in immediate danger: call 111, go to the emergency department (ED) at your nearest hospital, or contact your local mental health crisis assessment team¹
1737: Free call or text 1737 (or call 0800 1737 1737), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact them if you feel anxious, low or overwhelmed, or if you just want to talk to someone¹
Who answers 1737: Trained counsellors and peer support workers. It is free and confidential⁵
Healthline: 0800 611 116. You can get advice from a registered nurse⁴
Lifeline: Free call 0800 543 354 or free text 4357 (HELP)⁴
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). Free, 7 days a week¹
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202. Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week¹
Samaritans: 0800 726 666. For people who feel lonely, depressed, hopeless, distressed or are having thoughts of suicide⁴
Vagus Line (for the Chinese community): Free call 0800 567 6666 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12 noon to 2pm)⁴
Anxiety NZ helpline: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)⁴
Youthline (young people): Call 0800 376 633 or text 234, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online chat with a counsellor is available from 10am to 10pm¹
0800 What's up? (children and teenagers): 0800 942 8787. A free counselling helpline. Online chat and email are also available¹
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797 or text 8681¹
Free mental health support services (Access and Choice): You do not need a referral. You can contact them directly, and there is usually no wait. For services based in a GP clinic, you need to be enrolled with that clinic²
Youth support services: For people aged 12 to 24²
Tend video consultations: People aged 16 and over can have a free mental health video consultation. You do not need a referral, and you do not need to be enrolled with Tend¹
Mental health crisis assessment teams (some areas, emergencies only): Auckland (Central) 0800 800 717; Waikato 0800 505 050; Wellington, Hutt and Kāpiti 0800 745 477; Canterbury 0800 920 092. For other areas, see the Health NZ website³

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

1737 is for everyone in New Zealand. It is free and confidential.
Access and Choice free support services: anyone whose thoughts, feelings or behaviour are affecting their wellbeing can use them. For services based in a GP clinic, you need to be enrolled with that clinic.
Youth support services are for people aged 12 to 24. Family members can also contact them directly for help.
Tend's free mental health video consultations are for people aged 16 and over.

How do I do it? Steps and process

First, check if it is an emergency
If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others, call 111 now, go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital, or call your local mental health crisis assessment team.
If you want to talk, call or text 1737
Someone answers 1737 24 hours a day. It is free and confidential. You can contact them if you feel anxious, low or overwhelmed, or if you just want to talk to someone.
Talk to your GP or practice nurse
If you are worried about your mental health, you can talk to your family doctor (GP) or the nurse at your clinic. They can help, including with alcohol and other drug use. If you do not have a GP yet, see our guide on enrolling with a GP.
Use free mental health support services
The Wellbeing support page on the Health NZ website has a map of Access and Choice services near you. These include health improvement practitioners and health coaches in GP clinics, and youth, Kaupapa Māori and Pacific services. You can also search for mental health services on Healthpoint.
If you are worried about someone else
If you are worried about someone's safety, call your local mental health crisis assessment team. Stay with the person and help keep them safe until support arrives.

What should I watch out for?

You do not need to wait until things are 'serious' to ask for help. If you feel anxious, low or stressed, you can call or text 1737.
Only use the crisis assessment team numbers in an emergency.
1737 also has a Digital Hub website (1737.org.nz). You can find resources and services by topic, such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, relationships and safety, gambling, and alcohol and drugs.
If you are experiencing family violence, the Women's Refuge crisis line is 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE). The Shakti crisis line, 0800 742 584, is for refugee and migrant women and women experiencing family violence.
This page only lists services shown on official websites. It is not medical advice. Helpline opening hours can change, so check each service's latest information.

Common questions

I am very stressed and can't sleep. Who can I talk to?

You can call or text 1737 for free at any time. Trained counsellors and peer support workers answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it is confidential. You can also talk to your GP or the practice nurse at your clinic. For advice from a registered nurse, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

What is 1737, and is it free?

Yes, 1737 is free. It is a helpline you can call or text on 1737, or call on 0800 1737 1737, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained counsellors and peer support workers answer. It is confidential and for everyone in New Zealand. Contact them if you feel anxious, low or overwhelmed, or just want to talk.

My friend says they want to end their life. What should I do?

If your friend is in immediate danger, call 111, go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital, or call your local mental health crisis assessment team. Stay with them and help keep them safe until support arrives. You can also call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). It is free, 7 days a week.

Do I need to see a GP first to get counselling in New Zealand, and is it free?

No, you do not always need to see a GP first. Free Access and Choice mental health support services need no referral, and there is usually no wait. For services based in a GP clinic, you must be enrolled with that clinic. People aged 16 and over can also have a free mental health video consultation with Tend, without a referral or enrolment.

Is there a helpline for teenagers or young people?

Yes. Youthline is for young people. Call 0800 376 633 or text 234, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online chat with a counsellor is available from 10am to 10pm. 0800 What's up? (0800 942 8787) is a free counselling helpline for children and teenagers. Youth support services are also available for people aged 12 to 24.

Who can I call in the middle of the night if I feel overwhelmed?

You can call or text 1737 at any time. It is free, and someone answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Depression helpline (0800 111 757 or text 4202) and Youthline (0800 376 633 or text 234) are also open 24 hours a day. If you are in immediate danger, call 111.

A family member's mental health has suddenly got much worse. Who do I contact in an emergency?

If they are in immediate danger, call 111 or go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital. You can also call your local mental health crisis assessment team. Examples are Auckland (Central) 0800 800 717, Waikato 0800 505 050, Wellington, Hutt and Kāpiti 0800 745 477, and Canterbury 0800 920 092. For other areas, check the Health NZ website. Stay with them until support arrives.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Where to get help for mental healthHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
Wellbeing supportHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
Mental health crisis assessment teamsHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
Where to get supportTe Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission · mhwc.govt.nz
1737 Digital HubWhakarongorau Aotearoa | New Zealand Telehealth Services · 1737.org.nz

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