For the first time in its 53-year history, Youthline’s phone and text message Helpline is now available to young people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Previously, Youthline’s midnight to 8am Helpline had been limited to crisis calls only.

Thanks to support from ASB – the nationwide service has now been extended to 24/7, enabling young people aged 12 to 24 to connect with a registered counsellor at any time of the day or night via phone or text message.

No problem is too big or too small – it’s free, confidential and provides a space for young people to talk.

Youthline CEO Shae Ronald says expanding the Helpline to a full overnight service has been a long-held dream.

“I am very pleased to see it up and running. It’s a real milestone for Youthline and the young people we support.

“We knew the need was there, but both the need and severity of calls we’re receiving have been higher than expected. We began offering this extended service in early September without any promotion, and in just two months we’ve received more than 60 calls and 4,680 text messages between midnight and 8am.

“Crucially, there have been nine interventions, where other services such as Police are contacted, which are potential life-saving moments.

“It is critical for us to make sure we are there for any young person who reaches out for support at night. Research shows night-time is typically harder for rangatahi. Rumination (repetitive thinking about negative thoughts) often happens at night and is worse for those who might already be feeling anxious or low.

“The 2023 State of the Generation survey shows our rangatahi/youth are in a mental health crisis, with three in four agreeing mental health is a problem for their generation.

“Social media remains a key issue for rangatahi, with half of young people surveyed viewing social media as a key issue facing their generation, and more than 57 percent saying it can cause mental health and social problems.

“We know rangatahi can struggle to disengage from social media at night. This can have a significant impact on the amount of sleep they get and the distress they feel, particularly during the night.

“Being young has never been so tough. We’re very grateful to ASB for supporting Youthline to expand our Helpline to include this overnight service. They were on the same page as us from the start in terms of wanting to make this a reality.”

ASB executive general manager Lohit Kalburgi agrees expanding to a full overnight service was a shared ambition from the outset of the partnership with Youthline.

“We’re thrilled to see it come to fruition. As well as funding the service, passionate ASB team members have also helped to get it up and running by volunteering as project managers, and we are now supporting Youthline to raise awareness of the Helpline.

“ASB is conscious of the worrying decline in youth mental health and committed to taking action. As a company with deep roots in Aotearoa, we want to accelerate progress for all New Zealanders, and for young people that means supporting their mental wellbeing, as well as the work we’re doing to raise financial literacy in schools. We want all young people to know it’s okay to seek help, and that Youthline is available to offer support for free.

“The launch of the overnight Helpline builds on an ongoing programme of work Youthline and ASB have partnered on, including launching a pilot school wellbeing leadership programme, raising awareness of Youthline as a support service, and collaborating with Kiwi artist BENEE to create a song designed and tested to reduce anxious feelings.”

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz|
• What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7 days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155\
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.