Emergency services

If you are concerned about your immediate safety or the safety of someone else, dial 111 for emergency services.

24-hour free-phone services

The 1737 service: Phone or text 1737

To talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor any time, 24 hours a day. Phone or text 1737.

Go to the '1737' website
Lifeline Counselling Service: Phone 0800 543 354

Need help right now? Lifeline Aotearoa's telephone counselling service provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week counselling and support. Phone 0800 543 354.

Go to the Lifeline website
Suicide Crisis Helpline: Phone 0508 828 865

24/7 confidential and free telephone counselling and support service for those who may be thinking about suicide, or for those who are concerned about friends or whanau. 

This helpline is staffed by highly experienced helpline counsellors with training in suicide prevention and intervention. Phone 0508 828 865.

Go to the Suicide Crisis Helpline website

Samaritans helpline: Phone 0800 726 666

This is confidential emotional support service for people experiencing loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal feelings. Phone 0800 726 666.

Go to the Samaritans website

Kidsline: Phone 0800 543 754

This is a counselling service for young people up to 18 years of age. Phone 0800 543 754

Go to the Kidsline website

Youthline: Phone 0800 376 633

Youthline offers phone, text, email and online chat counselling. Phone 0800 376 633 or text 234.

Go to the Youthline website to email or chat online.
The Lowdown: Email or text 5626

Lowdown counsellors can be contacted anytime by email or text (5626). The website also hosts an online chat forum.

Go to the Lowdown website to email a counsellor or chat online

Safe to talk: Sexual harm information and support: Phone 0800 044 334 or text 4334

This service is staffed by specialists who are trained in sexual harm support. Phone 0800 044 334, text 4334. The website also has an online chat forum.

Go to the Safe to talk website for information or to chat online

Or email [email protected]

Urgent services for acute needs

Primary care and community-based services

Your GP (doctor) or practice nurse can assess your needs, offer advice and treatment. They can also refer you to specialist mental health services.

Find a GP in your region.

The Nelson Bays Primary Health Organisation and the Marlborough Primary Health Organisation both provide a free mental health brief intervention service for people with mild to moderate mental health issues.

Find out how to access this service in Nelson

Find out how to access this service in Marlborough

There are many community-based services across the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough region that offer respite care, support, day programmes and peer-led support.

Find out what services are available in your region.

Specialist services in the Nelson Marlborough region

All enquiries about specialist mental health services can be made to the 'Single Point of Entry' service by phoning: 0800 776 364

Contact the Single Point of Entry Service if:

  • you have a general enquiry about mental health services

  • you are worried about your mental health

  • you are worried about the mental health of another person.

The Single Point of Entry Service will:

  • provide initial advice

  • forward calls to crisis or emergency services

  • receive referrals for specialist adult, child and adolescent, and older persons' services

  • receive referrals for primary mental health services

  • prioritise referrals according to clinical need (determined by a triage process)

  • refer people to appropriate services.

Contact details

Phone 0800 776 364 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)