Help with mental health and addiction

Specialist health services and resources for mental illness or addiction.

Mental health and addiction services

You do not have to deal with a mental illness or addiction on your own — there are resources, helplines, support groups, websites and counsellors available.

Information and resources to help with mental illness and addiction.

Where to get help for mental health — Ministry of Health

What to do in an emergency, find a list of helplines and access other resources to help you find services.

Mental health crisis assessment teams — Ministry of Health

Alcohol and drug use can affect your physical health, state of mind, relationships and finances. If you or someone you care about has an alcohol or drug problem, there’s help available.

Alcohol and drug services — Ministry of Health

Talk to your health professional, or find support in your local area.

Support groups and counselling — Family Services Directory

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling, you can call 0800 654 655 anytime — or free text 8006.

Gambling Helpline

Financial assistance

Answer some questions to find out which benefits you might be entitled to. It’s confidential — the tool asks you questions but Work and Income do not see your answers. You’ll be asked:

  • for personal information about you and your partner
  • what you’ve earned in the last year
  • about any health conditions or disabilities
  • how much you pay in rent or mortgage payments
  • the value of your assets.

Check what you might get — Work and Income

Support for family, whānau and caregivers

Practical help for people who care for family or friends with mental health problems.

Information for carers — Ministry of Social Development

Compulsory assessment and treatment

If you think someone you care about needs to be seen by a mental health doctor, you can apply for a compulsory assessment by writing to your local Director of Area Mental Health Services.

A compulsory treatment order is a court order that requires someone to be treated for a mental illness. When the assessment period is over, the responsible doctor can apply to the Family Court to continue treatment.

Compulsory treatment order — Ministry of Justice

The Family Court can:

  • issue a warrant to enforce you to attend an assessment
  • review the compulsory assessment order
  • review a compulsory treatment order.

Court ordered treatment — Ministry of Justice

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.

Utility links and page information

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