It is always OK, to say you are not OK. There is help. Your mental health must come first. Here is a list of resources to get you started.
PS Please message me if any links are broken so I can always provide the best info.
New Zealand Mental Health Services and Resources
Call 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354) or text HELP (4357) for free, 24/7, confidential support – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor anytime – it’s free and completely confidential
You an also contact a clinical psychologists directly by area and specialty
Drug and alcohol links from the Police
Yellow Brick Road, support families towards mental wellbeing
EDANZ offers support, practical advice and understanding so you can help your love one recover from disordered eating
A database of resources specifically for migrants and refugees
Where to get help for Kiwi men – a wide range of links and services.
Emerge Aotearoa provides a wide range of community-based mental health, addiction, disability support, offender rehabilitation, wellbeing and housing services nationwide
Talking Minds is a website focused on understanding psychosis
Le Va offers services for Pasifika families
The Ministry of health provides a list of Maori Health Providers by region
Asian Family Services provides support to Asians living in New Zealand
Those who have experienced abuse or assault may be eligible for ACC funded counselling.
Youthline offer support for kids
Call or online chat for kids and teens
Potential Mental Health Support via your work
Does your work have an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme), if so, they are usually funded and confidential? If you or a friend/family members workplace uses the Xero accounting software, you may be able to access three free counselling sessions.
International list of crisis resources
https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
Try Your Doctor
Your General Practitioner is a great place to start. They should also know about potential funded support in your area.
In this day and age, GPs are more educated and supported in helping with mental health concerns than there were when I first needed them (that is another story for another blog). Unfortunately, not all are moving with the times, do go ‘GP shopping’ if yours is not helpful. Remember you are the customer.
Free Resources and links
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003927 (amazing illustrated book in many languages for coping with major or minor stress)
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Overview
Mental Health Foundation has great book and app reviews
Free online therapy for anxiety, depression and coping with COVID https://www.justathought.co.nz/
Great online articles and community for those facing physical and mental health challenges at www.themighty.com
Info for teesm on anxiety depression, identity, school life and more at www.thelowdown.co.nz
A fantasy video game for young people to help manage anxiety and depression www.sparx.org.nz/home
A large collection of resources from Anxiety Canada www.anxietycanada.com/free-downloadable-pdf-resources/
