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All members of NZDF and the Defence community can call for 24/7 confidential support. This includes civilians, military, veterans, reserves and family members.
Mind
Who to contact
The fact is, things don’t fix themselves, but taking active steps to make your situation better is probably the most important thing you can do. The journey may be long or it may be short, but it has to start somewhere - the good news is that if you are here, then your journey has started.
This section outlines some of the immediate things you can do if you are worried about how you feel, behave or with aspects of everyday life.
If it’s a crisis or emergency
If you are in a serious crisis or you need urgent help, do the following:
- Call your local mental health crisis assessment(external link) team or go to your local hospital emergency department
- If you are in immediate danger, call 111
If you are having thoughts about taking your life, it’s very important to tell someone you trust so that you can get the help you need to feel better.
If you can’t immediately find someone you know to talk to, there are always people who are contactable by phone and who are willing, able and available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to help you.
If you concerned about someone else, do the above plus:
- Stay with them until support arrives. Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use (e.g. rope, pills, guns, car keys, knives). Try to stay calm and let them know you care.
- Keep them talking: listen and ask questions without judging.
- Make sure you are safe.
Who to phone for help
NZDF4U Helpline and Wellbeing Counselling Support
For Regular Force, Reserve Force, Civilians, Veterans and Families
All members of NZDF and the Defence community can contact 0800 NZDF4U (0800 693 348) for 24/7 confidential support spanning both telephone and face-to-face support. This includes Regular Force, Civilians, Reserve Force, families and veterans
A health professional (outside of the NZDF) will assess what the nature of the issue is and discuss support options about any issue someone may want help with. This can include anything from general stress/depression/anxiety, relationship troubles, financial worries, post-deployment problems, to transitioning out of NZDF. The health professional will help direct towards the best support for you. If it is an emergency dial 111.
Callers can access phone support and face-to-face counselling via 0800 NZDF4U, and now can also:
- Contact NZDF4U via text: 8881
- Access NZDF4U from overseas: +64 9 414 9914
Counselling support services (up to six sessions) are also accessible through this service. This is available to Regular Force and Civilians for any issue, and is also available for Reserves and Families of NZDF members for Defence-related issues. Where this service isn’t the best fit to support their needs, NZDF4U may refer on to community support and health services, and/or Veterans’ Affairs. Regular Force will be encouraged to use the internal NZDF health services and support systems as their first port of call for support. However, if someone does not feel comfortable using the internal NZDF health services, this service is in place to ensure they get the support they need.
| Service user type | 0800 NZDF4U | EAP/Counselling |
| Regular Force | Yes | Yes |
| Reserve force
(under regular force employment)
|
Yes | Yes |
| Reserve force
(not under regular force employment)
|
Yes
|
Yes
(if the issue is NZDF-related)
|
| Civilian staff | Yes | Yes |
| veterans and ex -serving | Yes | No |
| Family/whanau of NZDF personnel | Yes
|
Yes
(if the issue is NZDF-related)
|
Who can contact 0800 NZDF4U?
Who answers the phone when I call 0800 NZDF4U?
A health professional (outside of the NZDF) answers your call. They will assess what’s going on for you and discuss support options.
What support can I get?
You can access face-to-face, Zoom (similar to Skype), or over the phone counselling when you call through the 0800 number.
Can I contact 0800 NZDF4U from overseas?
Yes, you can call +64 9 414 9914 and if you prefer to be called back due to international calling fees, this can be arranged. In cases where the caller is on deployment NZDF4U will notify the Medical Officer J1 Health Branch.
What issues can I call about?
You can call about any issue you want help with. This can include anything from general stress/depression/anxiety, relationship troubles, financial worries, post-deployment problems, to transitioning out of NZDF. The health practitioner will help direct you towards the best support for you. If you have an emergency dial 111.
Who can access EAP counselling?
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) counselling support services (up to six sessions) are accessible to regular force and civilians for any issue. EAP services (up to six sessions) are also available for Reserves and Families of NZDF members for defence related issues. The nature of this support will be based on need and may include referral to EAP, community support and health services, and/or Veterans Affairs. Family members accessing EAP will be asked to confirm their connection to NZDF; this will be recorded but not shared with the NZDF member or broader NZDF without permission.
Can a person in uniform access face-to-face counselling?
Yes! When a service person calls the 0800 number they can be referred to EAP for counselling. This is confidential. You may be encouraged to contact a NZDF health provider so that appropriate internal support can be arranged but you can access support through EAP if you are not comfortable with this.
Will my manager find out?
No. You are not required to identify yourself unless you choose to. The counselor will ask for your first name / how you would like to be addressed.
Is it confidential for uniformed people too?
Yes! No information is given to the caller’s manager (or anyone within the NZDF). The counsellor will know your name if you choose to provide it. Either way, no personal details are sent to NZDF. You will only be asked to provide some basic demographic information for reporting purposes (e.g. civilian/ military/ veteran/ reserve/ family member). You may be asked if you are comfortable with relevant health information being shared with NZDF so it can be stored on your NZDF health record or additional support arranged through NZDF, but this is voluntary.
How many counselling sessions are available to me?
Eligible pers (see above) may access up to 6 sessions.
What can I do if I don’t make a connection with my counsellor or I don’t feel like they are the right person for me to talk to?
You are welcome to request a different counsellor. Click here to see a full list of Vitae counsellors available to you.
Can a family member call 0800 NZDF4U (without the NZDF employee present)?
Yes! They just need to state that they are an NZDF family member. This information is only kept on the caller’s confidential file and is not shared with NZDF or any other person.
Are there any circumstances in which my information might be shared?
If you (or another person) is at an immediate risk of harm, the counsellor is required by law to report this to necessary parties. For example, if you report to your counsellor that you intend to hurt yourself or somebody else, the counsellor may contact emergency services and the NZDF.
Can I get time off to attend an EAP counselling appointment during work time? Do I need to take leave or make the time up?
Civilians
If you are attending an EAP appointment during work hours, you will need to let your 1-up know you have an appointment to attend. You don’t need to specify that it is a EAP counselling appointment however your manager will need to be made aware the appointment is for medical purposes. Generally for sick leave, ‘no deduction will be made for absence of less than two hours’ but please check your employment agreement. If you require more than two hours to attend your EAP appointment, you will need to discuss this with your 1-up in advance to get their approval or to make alternative arrangements. Please email NZDF4U@nzdf.mil.nz if you have questions or concerns about this.
Military personnel
If you need to attend an EAP appointment during work hours, you will need to let your 1-up know that you have a specialist appointment. Wherever possible you should be released to attend, or supported to make an alternative appointment time if this is not possible. You don’t need to specify that it is a EAP counselling appointment. If you need an appointment urgently, please contact your Health Centre
For Veterans
Veterans’ Affairs
Call: 0800 4VETERANS (0800 483 8372)
A confidential support service for eligible members of the serving and ex-serving community.
What Support is Available through NZDF?
Read about options for NZDF support here [PDF, 309 KB].
Additionally, here are some people to call for specific issues or situations:
Depression Helpline
Call: 0800 111 757
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Talk to a trained counsellor at the Depression Helpline about how you are feeling or to ask a question.
Lifeline
Call: 0800 543 354
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Lifeline is a confidential counselling service for those in mental distress.
Samaritans
Call: 0800 726 666
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Samaritans offer confidential non-religious and non-judgemental support to anyone who may be feeling depressed lonely or even be contemplating suicide.
Alcohol and Drug helpline
Call: 0800 787 797
Text: 8681
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
This is a helpline specifically for problems with alcohol and drugs, you can speak with a trained counsellor.
Women’s Refuge
Call: 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
0800 REFUGE is a crisis line for women dealing with violence in their life.
Shine
Call: 0508 744 633
When: 9am-11pm/7 days a week
Shine is a domestic abuse helpline. Shine’s vision is ‘safer homes in New Zealand every day.’
Family Violence Helpline
Call: 0800 456 450
When: 9am-11pm/7 days a week
The Family Violence Information Line provides confidential self-help information and connects people to services where appropriate
Mensline
Call: 0800 636 754
When: Monday to Friday 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Mensline is a helpline specifically for men and the issues they face.
Youthline
Call: 0800 376 663
Text: 234
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Youthline is a helpline for young people, offering counselling, support and youth development services.
Healthline
Call: 0800 611 116
When: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Healthline offers free health advice from trained registered nurses.
OUTLine NZ
Call: 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE)
When: 10am-9pm weekdays, 6pm-9pm weekends
Confidential, free, LGBTIQ+ affirming support line and face-to-face counselling
What's Up
Call: 0800 942 8787
When: 7 days a week 12pm-11pm or online 3pm-10pm
Advice line for 5-18 year olds
