Urgent Help
If someone’s life is in immediate danger, call the emergency services (in Aotearoa New Zealand it's 111 and in the UK it's 999). You can walk in to the Emergency Room / A&E and ask for support at any time if you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or somebody else.
If you are struggling with your mental health to the point where you're worried about your own safety - that of someone else - and you need help or information right now, counselling is probably not the most helpful thing for you. It takes time to set up and, if you are already attending, I may not be available immediately.
Below are details of organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other countries who can provide immediate support, information and advice. They include some helplines specific for helping children, young people and the LGBTQI+ / Rainbow community.
The information listed here is accurate as of June 2025.
Support in Aotearoa New Zealand
The following helplines are open 24/7 and are free to call:
Lifeline
offers support to anyone no matter what they're going through
0800543354 is their general number
0508828865 is their number for specialist support if you or someone else you know is thinking about suicide
Free text 4357 (HELP)
Samaritans
offers confidential support to anyone in any situation. Call 0800 726 666 anytime.
Youthline
focuses on supporting children and young people
free text 234, call 0800 376 633, webchat at through their website, DM on Instagram @youthlinenz, message on Whats App 09 886 56 96.
WhatsUp
offers free online and telephone counselling and support for children and teenagers. Their website has lots of useful information on it. Helpline: 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available every day, 11am – 11pm, online chat 11am – 10.30pm
Outline
give support to people of all ages who identify as part of the Rainbow community, people questioning and whānau. The helpline is staffed by volunteers who identify as LGBTQI+. Call 0800 688 5463 for confidential telephone support between 6-9pm every day. There is also online chat support available through the website.
Support in the United Kingdom
Samaritans
Call 116123 for free, available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Listening telephone service – you can talk about anything for as long as you need to.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Charity which offers support to anyone thinking about suicide – or is worried about a friend or family member who is. Confidential and anonymous. Free helpline 0800 58 58 58 open 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year.
A webchat service is available on their website open 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year.
Papyrus / HopeLine UK
Charity which offers support to try to prevent suicide in young people (aged 35 or under).
Opening hours: 24/7, 365 days a year. Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 88247 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Shout
Organisation which offers text-based confidential support to anyone (of any age) in the event of a crisis of any sort. It is staffed by a team of trained volunteers. Available 24/7, 365 days a year. Text Shout to 85258 to start a conversation.
SANEline
Charity which offers support, guidance and information for people aged 16 or over affected by a mental health problem – this includes friends, family and carers.
Their helpline 0300 304 7000 is open 4-10pm every day. You can also email them at support@sane.org.uk and they will aim to respond within 72 hours.
Switchboard LGBTQI+
Organisation which offers confidential support and advice to people who identify as LGBTQI+ in the UK. All helpline workers are volunteers who self-identify as LGBTQI+.
Call helpline 0800 0119 100 10am-10pm 24/7 Email and instant message support also available - see the website for details
LGBT Foundation
Organisation which offers support and advice to people who identify as LGBTQI+ in the UK.
Call helpline 0345 330 30 30 9am-6pm Monday - Friday
Childline
Telephone helpline (run as part of the charity NSPCC) which supports anyone under the age of 19 with anything they’re going through. Open 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 0800 1111 to speak with someone in confidence.
Their website has information about a wide range of issues relevant to children and young people.
A 1-2-1 text service is also available with a counsellor through their website.
The Mix
Organisation providing support for anyone under 25. Their website has a lot of information on a wide range of issues relevant to young people. They offer online counselling free to people age 13-25 who live in the UK.
Support in other countries
If you are feeling suicidal then please see these websites for contact details of an organisation local to you who you can contact for support:
https://www.suicidestop.com/call_a_hotline.html