Are your people grieving cancelled events? Worried about the future of what your favourite activity looks like in the delta impacted world? We know that the disruption caused by COVID uncertainty has affected people across the Play, Active Recreation and Sport Sector.

We know that almost one-third of people in Aotearoa have a personal experience of mental distress, and 77% of people know someone who experiences mental distress*. If you or someone you care about is dealing with some big emotions, it is important to know where to access support to work through these challenges.

Support Services

If you or someone you know needs extra support at this time, there are a range of free resources and services that can help:

If there is an emergency dial 111.

General Services

Victim Support – 0800 842 846 (24hr service) for all victims of serious crime.

Samaritans – Call 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Lifeline – Call 0800 LIFELINE or 0800 543 354 or text 4357

Need to Talk? 1737 Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Grief Services

Skylight – Call 0800 299 100 Specialises in helping children, young people and their families/whanau through tough times of change, loss, trauma and grief

Mental Health Services

Alcohol and Drug Helpline – Call 0800 787 797 phone or online chat for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem

Anxiety phone line – Call 0800 ANXIETY or 0800 269 4389

Depression Helpline – Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202

Supporting Families in Mental Illness – Call 0800 732 825 For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness

Youth Services

Youthline – Call 0800 376 633 or text 234

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age (24 hr service)
Oranga Tamariki – Call 0508 326 459 if you’re worried about a child and want to make a referral or report of concern

Services for Sexuality or Gender concerns

OUTline NZ – Call OUTLINE or 0800 688 5463 – Provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues

Sexual Violence Services

Rape Crisis Centres – Call 0800 883 300 for contact details of your local centre, provides support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, their families, friends and whānau

Safe to Talk – Call 0800 044 334 for a 24/7 sexual harm helpline

Male Survivors Aotearoa New Zealand – Call 0800 044 334 Offers one- to-one, peer and support groups for male survivors of sexual abuse and their significant others

Tu Wahine Trust – Call 09 838 8700 For kaupapa Māori counselling, therapy and support for survivors of sexual harm (mahi tukino) and violence within whānau

ACC Sensitive Claims Unit – Call 0800 735 566 Treatment for claims related to sexual abuse or sexual assault

Family Violence Services

Family Services 211 Helpline (0800 211 211) – For help finding (and direct transfer to) community-based health and social support services in your area

Women’s Refuge – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 – Women’s Refuge provide 24 hour support, advocacy and accommodation for women and their children experiencing family violence

Further to these services which are available to the wider community, employees, coaches and volunteers of Sport New Zealand partner organisations are also able to access counselling services for free http://www.vitae.co.nz or call on 0508 664 981.

*Mental Distress and Discrimination in Aotearoa New Zealand: Results from 2015-2018 Mental Health Monitor and 2018 Health and Lifestyles Survey (Health Promotion Agency 2020)