18-year-old Luka had difficulties with depression and loneliness. He reached out to 0800 What’s Up for guidance around these difficult feelings.

Luka was feeling overwhelmed and lonely. The Auckland lockdown had been hard on him, making him feel really isolated. He’d had some previous struggles with depression, and he could feel himself sliding back into it. Every little thing was feeling like a huge effort.

He reached out to an 0800 What’s Up counsellor, where they worked on a plan for him to reach out to his friends and manage his emotions. Luka ended the call feeling a lot more positive, and with the reassurance of the 0800 What’s Up counsellor, he knew they would be there if he needed to reach out to them again.

There are thousands of young people like Luka who deal with anxiety and depression on a regular basis in Aotearoa, where they need to access help quickly and easily.

With waiting lists for mental health services at an all-time high and the costs often prohibitive for many, 0800 What’s Up provides a vital service that helps young people deal with their issues before they reach a crisis point.

If you know any tamariki and rangatahi between the ages of 5 and 19 who need someone to talk to, they can phone or e-chat from 11am to 11pm, 7 days a week on 0800 942 8787 or visit www.whatsup.co.nz.

A helpline supporting young people in need

Our mahi continues to make real, positive change.