Your health and wellbeing is extremely important, and practising good health is critical to maintaining a positive headspace. Remember to eat well, exercise when possible, connect with family and friends over the phone or internet, and drink alcohol in moderation.

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or you’re not coping, please consider using any of the resources below for advice and guidance on maintaining your mental health and wellbeing.

IF YOU NEED HELP NOW

• Freecall or text 1737, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for support from trained counsellors.  1737.org.nz.
• Freecall Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
• Contact your GP

The Queenstown Lakes District has a wide range of social services available. Some of our key local services include:

Brief Intervention Service 
Provides access to up to 5 sessions of support for mild to moderate mental health needs. Referral via GP. 
https://wellsouth.nz/ 

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB provides free and confidential advice to everyone. CAB workers take the time to listen to you and equip you with the information, options and support that fit your needs. They can help with access to Justices of the Peace, free legal advice and budgeting advice. 
44 Stanley Street, Queenstown
P: 03 442 6799
www.cab.org.nz
Queenstown@cab.org.nz

Community Mental Health 
Central Lakes Mental Health provides a range of specialist mental health services for all people who experience significant mental illness or distress, including an emergency service and addiction services. 
P: 03 441 0010 
https://www.southernhealth.nz/getting-help-you-need/mental-health-and-addictions 

Central Lakes Family Services
Central Lakes Family Services has a team of professionally trained clinicians that provide social work, counselling, a range of programmes, advocacy and support for anyone experiencing family or sexual harm, parenting support, support for children & adolescents as well as working with families experiencing mild/moderate mental health.  This is a free service that works with men, women and their children to work towards positive outcomes. 
www.clfs.co.nz
info@clfs.co.nz
0508 440 255

Community Networks Wanaka
Community Networks is your one stop community support centre. We provide the following services – Community Foodbank, financial support for counselling, arrange appointments with Community Law, JP and the Wheels to Dunstan shuttle service to Dunstan (and Dunedin Hospital). Alongside this, we refer people to social workers, budget advisors and WellSouth vouchers (subsidised GP Vouchers). We hold information about local counselling and mental health services, Work and Income, Immigration, Legal Aid, Support Groups and Health Professionals.
Community Networks is located at the Wanaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street, Wanaka.
P: 03 443 7799
www.communitynetworks.co.nz
info@communitynetworks.co.nz

Happiness House
Happiness House is a community based non profit organisation that that provides services to the Wakatipu District. It is a drop-in centre, offering practical support, advice, group activities, food parcels and clothing. 
4 Park Street, Queenstown
P: 03 442 6531
www.happinesshouse.org.nz
happinesshouse@xtra.co.nz

Healthpoint
Healthpoint provides up-to-date information about healthcare providers, referral expectations, services offered and common treatments.
https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/central-lakes/

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a nationwide organisation who offer free counselling, mediation services, drug and alcohol support, budgeting advice, support and advocacy, a food bank, second-hand furniture and clothing shop. 
https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/centres/nz/otago-southland/queenstown

Southern Health Wellbeing Support in Central Lakes: Well-being Support in Central-Lakes | Southern Health | He hauora, he kuru pounamu

Southern Health A-Z – a directory of health care providers in the Southern district.

Victim Support 
Emotional and practical support, personal advocacy and information to people affected by crime and trauma. 
P: 03 441 1608
https://victimsupport.org.nz/ 
wakatipu@victimsupport.org.nz

Mentemia App
Created by Sir John Kirwan, this app provides practical tips and techniques to help you take control of your mental wellbeing.
mentemia.com/

Melon 
Self-care and support for New Zealanders during Covid-19.
melonhealth.com/covid-19

Just a Thought
Free  online support for your mental wellbeing during this difficult time.
https://www.justathought.co.nz/

Mental Health Foundation
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/

Depression
P: 0800 111757 / free text 4202
www.depression.org.nz

Suicide Crisis Helpline
P: 0508 828 865
www.lifeline.org.nz

Alcohol Drug Helpline
P: 0800 787 797 / Free text 8681
www.alcoholdrughelpline.org.nz

Sexuality issues
P: 0800 688 5463
www.outline.org.nz

Access and Choice - Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) / Health Coaches / Community Support Workers (based in general practice clinics - contact your GP for a referral)
Access and Choice is a free, primary mental health and addiction service based in general practices in the Southern region. Part of a national initiative, Access and Choice places qualified mental health practitioners in general practices, making it faster and easier to access care. They provide free and timely support for patients and clients wanting help to improve self-management and provide guidance with behaviour change - including addressing stress, addictions, social issues, or long-term physical health struggles. 

Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) - qualified and registered health professionals with experience in mental health, they offer 15-30 minute appointments to assist clients to take positive steps forward in improving their wellbeing. HIPs provide a little bit of help to a lot of people by supporting patients to take the next step to improve their wellbeing across the whole range of physical and mental health presentations. They can support clients of any age. HIPs work alongside other health and wellbeing services such as GPs, health coaches and community support workers.

Health Coaches - Like HIPs, they accept same-day, ‘warm handovers’ from GP staff of clients and patients needing their help. They support people to take positive steps forward for improving their health, including: assisting in goal setting for a range of concerns, including stress, physical activity, medication adherence, chronic conditions. 

Community Support Workers - employed by community agencies, support people with anything that is non-clinical, but having a large impact on people's well-being and ability to make progress. The key word is “support” as CSW walk alongside people, supporting them to achieve their goals. This can include helping them to navigate daily living – helping clients learn to cook or work out a budget. They also use their knowledge of social services to help people work with government agencies like Work and Income New Zealand or Kāinga Ora.

Family violence is never okay. We encourage you to take notice of the people closest to you. Do you or somebody you know need help with a family related issue? Here are some helpful resources. 

Family Violence Central Lakes Family Service
Professionally trained clinicians are working with the community, primary health local government and NGO service providers to optimise and ensure positive outcomes for children, adolescents and their families. 
P:0508 440 255
https://www.clfs.co.nz/  
info@clfs.co.nz

Family violence
It's not OK is a community-driven behaviour change campaign to reduce family violence in New Zealand. Its goal is to change attitudes and behaviour that tolerate any kind of family violence.
P: 0800 456 450
www.areyouok.org.nz

Women's Refuge
New Zealand’s largest nation-wide organisation that supports and helps women and children experiencing family violence.
P: 0800 733 843
www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Able - Southern Family Support 
Supporting families, including children and young people, that care for someone with a mental illness or addiction. 
P:03 4489 303
http://www.able.org.nz/ 
adminco@able.org.nz 

Everyone has tough times, but teenage and younger adult years can bring some extra challenges. It’s normal to need help with these. Here are some good ways to get help if you need it.

The Lowdown
The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Through encouraging early recognition and help for depression or anxiety they intend to reduce the impact depression or anxiety has on the lives of young New Zealanders, now and throughout their adult lives.
P: 0800 111 757 / Free text 5626
www.thelowdown.co.nz

Wakatipu Youth Trust Resources
Wakatipu Youth Trust provides support and advocacy for youth aged 10-24 years, through programmed, events, activities and strengths based services. 
https://www.wakatipuyouthtrust.co.nz/resources/ 

Kahu Youth Trust Resources
Kahu Youth provides programs, activities, events and a fun, safe, base for young people aged 11 to 24 in the Upper Clutha Region, New Zealand. 
http://kahuyouth.org/index.php/2019/05/20/mental-health/  

Youthline
Youthline works with young people, their families and those supporting young people.
P: 0800 376 633 / Free text 234
www.youthline.co.nz

Pact 
Pact offers community support to youth and adults with mental health or intellectual disability who need some help with living skills and goals. 
http://www.pactgroup.co.nz/ 

Thrive! Te Pae Ora 
1-6 sessions of support for mild to moderate mental health needs, substance use and coexisting problems for young people aged 12-19 years. 
P: 0800  292 988
http://www.thriveservices.org.nz/
admin@thriveservices.org.nz

The Spectrum Club 
Local support and social group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Allies for youth 12 -18 years and 18 - 24 years. 
https://www.facebook.com/thespectrumclubqt/ 
thespectrumclubqt@gmail.com 

Improving the health and wellbeing of Māori, ensuring that Māori are able to access timely, appropriate, responsive and effective health care and social services.

Local kaupapa Māori providers deliver services for both Māori and non-Maori, taking a approach which values Māori tikanaga (cultural values, processes and beliefs).

Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust

Mana Tāhuna’s mission is to improve the overall wellbeing and livelihood of Māori people within the Tāhuna community. This will be achieved through:                                         

• Job creation and re-skilling for Tāhuna whānau
• Cultivate kotahitanga (unity) within the Māori community
• Assist in upholding the mana of the Māori people in the wider Tāhuna area 
• Tāhuna Māori fulfill their obligated role as a kaitiaki of the Whakatipu area
• Assist in helping Tāhuna whānau to strengthen their connection to their Māoritanga 
• Provide opportunities that empower Tāhuna Māori and allow them to make positive contributions to their whānau and their communities 
• Ensure the interests of mana whenua are considered in situations where it is appropriate.

https://www.manatahuna.co.nz/ 
P: 027 778 3935

Uruuruwhenua Health Inc - Alexandra and Central Otago
Uruuruwhenua Health is focused on Māori health but is open to all members of the Central Otago community. Our key objective is to ensure existing health professionals and social services/agencies are coordinated and that Māori are assisted to better utilise the services that are available.

We assist whānau in working towards healthier lifestyles, promoting and understanding of the Whare Tapa Wha Health model in terms of tinana (physical wellbeing), wairua (spiritual wellbeing), hinengaro (mental wellbeing) and whānau (family wellbeing).

info@uruuruwhenuahealth.co.nz 
P: 0800 878 087

Māori health
Improving Māori health is an important area of focus for all health services and providers within New Zealand. Here you can find a range of resources about Māori health, including an overview, videos, apps and health information.
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/m/m%c4%81ori-health/ 

Looking after our wellbeing is essential right now. We can’t afford not to do it. Here are some tips based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Pick what works for you, adapt it, and keep at it! 

More info at https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/getting-through-together/wellbeing-tips 

CONNECT

Creating and maintaining relationships is critical to boosting wellbeing - our relationships help us feel valued, loved and give purpose -all this makes us feel good!

BE ACTIVE

Getting moving is not just good for our bodies, it makes a real difference to how we feel. It doesn’t always mean getting sweaty– things like walking the dog or dancing through the house work a treat!
https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation 

TAKE NOTICE

We're often told to stop and smell the roses. When we take notice, we are giving ourselves space to become mindful, breathe and slow down. Notice a moment, and appreciate it with all your senses!

KEEP LEARNING

Learning helps keep our minds active – which helps our wellbeing. There's heaps of opportunities to try new things and challenge our minds a little - take class in Te Reo or give a crossword a go?
https://codc-qldc.govt.nz/ 

GIVE

Kindness can give our mood an instant boost. Everyone has something to give, whether it’s a compliment or lending a hand. Kind acts make us feel better and helps us build connections with others.

If you want to help others get through together, then please consider downloading the below posters and putting them up in your office, venue, and/or premises.