Mental Health & Wellbeing
OLA LELEI Pacific Helpline
0800 OLA LELEI (0800 652 535) is a FREE national Pacific helpline anyone can call if they are feeling worried, stressed or concerned about anything and need someone to talk to, help and support.
The helpline runs Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 8.30pm. The OLA LELEI team speaks Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori and English. All conversations are confidential.
This service is FREE, open to anyone.
How to access
FREEPHONE 0800 OLA LELEI (0800 652 535)
https://www.vakatautua.co.nz/services-1/ola-lelei-pacific-helpline
I AM HOPE — I want help…..Cool, we got you
One of the biggest issues facing young New Zealanders today is the waiting times for funded face to face counselling.
The I AM HOPE counselling funding service is designed to take the pressure off current services and give young people 25 years old and under facing long wait times an alternative pathway.
The Gumboot Friday is not a long-term solution designed to take over from government services, rather, they should be seen as a bridge between current services and immediate needs. Everyone is encouraged to seek government-funded help while utilising our service.
Start Here
1. Are You Safe — If you require urgent medical attention, please call 111.
Not medically urgent, but emotionally so? Try step 2.
2. FREE TEXT OR CALL 1737 - We cannot recommend the folks at 1737 enough. They are available any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor and the service is completely free.
Not urgent, but still want help? Cool, let's hit step 3.
3. CHOOSE A COUNSELLOR - You can either contact one of the counsellors on the Gumboot Friday search map below or if you prefer, find one through your own research.
When you book your first appointment, let your counsellor know you'd like to access funding through Gumboot Friday
If they're not familiar with our organisation, ask them to visit our Counsellor information page.
How do I access I AM HOPE funding?
You don't need to sign up with us. Instead, choose a counsellor, email them to introduce yourself, and book an appointment. Before your first appointment, let them know you want to access the Gumboot Friday fund. If they need more information, ask them to visit our Counsellor information page or alternatively, they can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Choosing your Counsellor
Everyone's needs and preferences are different and we want the best possible outcome for you, so here are a few tips on how to choose a counsellor:
- Research - if they have one, visit their website and see if their background sounds appealing to you
- Think about whether you generally feel more comfortable speaking with someone from the same or a similar gender background to you
- If you use or speak more than one language, you might find it useful to try a counsellor who can use the same languages as you
- Think about whether you want someone who understands your spiritual or cultural background
- Shop around. You and the counsellor/s you interact with are only human and naturally, not everyone will have perfect chemistry. If you don't feel comfortable with the counsellor you first see, you don't have to keep going to them. Find someone that suits you and that you want on your team.
Choose a counsellor here — https://platform.gumbootfriday.com/app/search/
Remember, you want to pick someone you think you'll be comfortable
talking about pretty much anything with and who will work with you in a style that works best for you. When it comes to your emotional well being, you're allowed to be fussy.
Already have a great counsellor
Fantastic, you may still be eligible for I AM HOPE funding.
Ask your counsellor to contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.iamhope.org.nz/chooseacounsellor
Where to find help and mental health support for yourself or a Whanau member
Mental Health Support Groups / Organisations / Contact Numbers / Links / Apps
- Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/
- National helplines
- Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Healthline – 0800 611 116
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666
- Worried about someone –
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/worried-about-someone/
How to get help for someone you are worried about
It's great you are providing support. Has your friend or family member seen their GP? Remember, your GP is a very important source of assistance and we tell you below how to find GPs and counsellors that suit your needs. If you feel comfortable about it, perhaps you could offer to be with them for the appointment.
If someone is in immediate danger, please dial 111 for Police & ambulance assistance. - You can also access a range of helplines
- How to find a GP or mental health professional
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/find-a-gp-or-counsellor/ - How to find a counsellor, psychologist, psychotherapist
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/find-a-gp-or-counsellor/#counsellor - Suicide: coping with suicidal thoughts
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/a-z/resource/50/suicide-coping-with-suicidal-thoughts - Suicide: worried about someone
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/a-z/resource/48/suicide-worried-about-someone - Suicide: supporting someone online
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/a-z/resource/55/suicide-supporting-someone-online
- How to find a GP or mental health professional
- National helplines
- All Right? - https://www.allright.org.nz/
There are times when we just might need an extra bit of help. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is free help available through a variety of online tools and helplines.
https://www.allright.org.nz/articles/not-all-right - Sparklers – Support / Activities for our Tamariki - https://sparklers.org.nz/
- Activities - Here are our 60+ activities, for students in years 1-8. They are modular, flexible and ready to roll! - https://sparklers.org.nz/activities/
- Teachers - Do not miss our top tips on using Sparklers, and looking after you! Check them out before getting started. - https://sparklers.org.nz/teachers-educators/
- Sparklers at Home - Fun wellbeing activities to support whānau to look after their wellbeing and feel good. - https://sparklers.org.nz/parenting/
- Ministry of Health – Crisis Assessment Teams New Zealand wide
Mental health crisis services (for emergencies only).
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams - Lifeline New Zealand - 0800 543 354 | Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Website: www.lifeline.co.nz - Do You Need Help? | Call The Depression Helpline | 0800 111 757
www.depression.org.nz - 1737, need to talk - free call or text 1737 any time
Text 1737 is a free service for New Zealanders feeling down, anxious, a bit
overwhelmed or just need to chat to someone.
You can call or text us for free 24/7. www.1737.org.nz - Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116 — https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/healthline
- Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
- Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. — https://www.youthline.co.nz/
- 0800 WHATSUP Children's Helpline - 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day.— https://www.whatsup.co.nz/kids/
- Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.— http://www.kidsline.org.nz
- 0800 2KORERO - 24hr helpline 0800 256 7376 - http://www.keytolife.org.nz
Help is here - http://www.keytolife.org.nz/?page=help - Your Local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
http://www.rural-support.org.nz/ - Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.
https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/ - Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666 — http://www.samaritans.org.nz/
- OUTLineNZ - LGBTQI+ telephone support and counselling service. - 0800 688 5463
http://www.outline.org.nz/ - Rainbow Youth — https://www.ry.org.nz/
- Skylight - 0800 299 100 - for support through trauma, loss and grief (9am – 5pm weekdays)