For general information on mental health and wellness, visit the Mental Health Foundation of NZ website.
Mental Health Services
General information if you are new to services
If you have never used publicly funded mental health services before, the system may seem confusing. In general, the publicly funded community mental health centre (CMHC) you use is based on your home address. The exception to this is if you are using culturally specific services, older person’s mental health services or maternal mental health. You can ask for a referral to community mental health through your GP.
Counties Manukau Health Mental Health and Addictions Services
We are a specialist service for people with mental health concerns that can no longer be managed by supports in your community. We work with your family/whaanau, doctor and community to provide high-quality support, when you need it, where you need it.
Our service is made up of a number of teams, each specialising in helping people with a variety of ages, cultural backgrounds and mental health concerns.
For contact details for each of our teams please visit our website at https://www.countiesmanukau.health.nz/our-services/mental-health/
For urgent support contact our after-hours phone line on 0800 775 222, or phone (09) 261 3700 at any time. If you need immediate help call 111.
Most of the services listed below are dependent on you being referred through your community health centre.
Ember Korowai Takitini provides innovative, person-centred solutions for people experiencing addiction, mental health challenges and people with intellectual disabilities.
Ember Korowai Takitini provides a range of wrap-around services to support individuals and their whānau to hold hope, ignite possibilities, and find their own light again.
Services include
- Peer Support
- Residential Rehab
- Community Support Work
- Intensive Support Services
- Packages of Care
- Supported Employment
- Dual Diagnosis (Mental Health / Alcohol and Other Drugs) Residential and Community Programmes.
- Telephone and e-coaching and imbedded support within schools and primary care settings.
Full details of all Ember Services can be found at www.ember.org.nz
Ember – Korowai Takitini has been established through the merger of two leading services, Connect Supporting Recovery Inc. and Framework Trust.
Kāhui Tū Kaha provides community-based, recovery-focused, mental health support services and strives to assist people to attain and live rich and fulfilled lives. Services include:
Adult Crisis Respite, Community Support for Specific Cultures: Asian / South Asian / Māori / Rainbow / Muslim / Youth / Maternal, Family / Whānau Support, Flexible Community Living Support options, Independent Living / Mobile / Residential, Kaupapa Māori Support, Maternal Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Peer Support, Support for Community Involvement, Education / Healthy Living / Recreation, Rainbow Community Liaison and Training, Muslim Mental Health Services, Consumer Leader Service
0800 855 755
All services are free of charge.
The Bipolar Support Group meet from 10 am to 12 pm at DRIVE Consumer Direction Counties Manukau on the first Friday of every month – except January. It is run by, and for people with lived experience of bipolar. Share your challenges and offer support to others with your experience, strength and hope. They have a library of resources to borrow thanks to funding by the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board. New members are welcome.
For more information ring DRIVE on 09 263 6508. Please leave a message with some contact information if no one answers. Alternatively, you can text 021 921 738 or email: counties.bipolar@gmail.com
International 12 step self-help group
(09) 846 6869
St Lukes Auckland
Offers people facing mental health challenges the chance to work as a farmhand for up to six months, gaining valuable paid work experience, learning skills and building confidence while they prepare for permanent employment elsewhere. At the same time, people working at Hamlin Road Farm are supported in their wellness. Organically certified farm.
(09) 298 4594
Ardmore, Papakura
Supporting people to gain housing; providing practical support to people wanting fair access to affordable, sustainable, independent housing, and then assisting to help them stay in this home.
0800 932 432
Manukau City
Services free of charge. Application process applies.
Maaori Mental Health providers for South Auckland.
enquiries@mahitahi.co.nz (09) 262 4533
All services are free of charge. May need a referral.
Supporting Families in mental illness; field workers.
(09) 378 9134
Tupu Ake in Papatoetoe is the first mental health and wellness service of its kind in the country and provides a real alternative to hospital admission. Similar to respite Tupu Ake provides a peaceful, friendly environment where staff offer support during the day and night. Staff at Tupu Ake come from a variety of backgrounds including registered nurses, peer support specialists and counsellors. Tupu Ake caters for up to 10 guests overnight, plus an additional five during the day.
(09) 261 3401
Papatoetoe
All services are free of charge. Referral needed
Whāriki is a community-based service offering a range of support and learning opportunities that are free, confidential and recovery-focused. They provide peer support, family/whanau support, information, activities and education to those who have experienced mental illness and/or drug and alcohol addiction issues. Our service is free for those living within the Counties Manukau catchment area only.
Whāriki is based in Papatoetoe and is a part of the Emerge Aotearoa
Eligibility:
Self-referral. 18 years and older, must be living in the Counties/Manukau area and have lived experience of a Mental Health Challenge and/or AOD issues
Fee structure:
Services are free to those who meet the eligibility
Physical access:
Easy access, plenty of parking offsite, wheelchair friendly
Travel information:
Bus stop less than 100 metres away
Intake process:
Enrolment week leading up to the start of each term
(09) 279 8233
54 Carruth Road, Papatoetoe
No charges, free to all ages.
Helping people with health challenges return to employment. Workwise’s philosophy is based around a holistic approach to employment; having a paid, meaningful job plays a crucial role in helping people live happy, healthy lives.
(09)261 3402
Manukau
All services are free of charge. Referral may be needed.
I’m not eligible for community mental health services!
In some cases, you may find that your community mental health centre is not able to provide services to you. This is because funding for mental health services is targeted toward a small group of the population with the most significant impairment connected to their mental health. Mental health difficulties are very common and mental health services sometimes have to limit who they see. If your situation or difficulties change, this sometimes means the services you can access can change. Keep in conversation with your GP to make sure you are getting the best support available.
If you are in this situation, you will not be able to access some of the options above, however here are some further options:
- You may be able to access wellbeing related services (and sometimes a psychologist) through your GP or local community centre
- You may be able to get some funding to help support sessions with a private counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist if you are on a low income and diagnosed with anxiety, depression, stress or similar. You do this by applying for a disability allowance, and then providing additional forms from a counsellor and your doctor.
- See here for WINZ information
The current maximum any person can get on disability allowance is around $60 per week. Other costs such as medication and travel are covered by this amount as well- you are not eligible for additional money when you need counselling.
If therapy is still too expensive, therapists may sometimes have some discretion around modifying their rate, or you may be able to see them fortnightly which may make this more affordable.
- Phone or text 1737 for 24-hour 7-days a week brief counselling support.
- You are welcome to get in touch with the Depression line 0800 111 777
- Community-based social services who may have free or lower-cost options for social workers or counsellors
- If your difficulties are related to a sexual abuse experience, you may be eligible to receive some funding through ACC sensitive claims.