Talking with your GP can be a good next step. He or she is likely to have a good overview of your health and will be best placed to help you.
If you’re not currently enrolled with a GP, you can find one on the website of your district health board:
Your GP will be able to point you in the right direction or refer you for extra help such as counselling. Alternatively they may recommend things for you to do at home or prescribe medication.
Compass Health Primary Solutions
If you live in Wellington or Wairarapa and your GP is a member of the Compass Health Primary Health Organisation (click here to check your practice), you may be eligible for their free Primary Solutions service. This is for:
- people aged between 12 and 25 in Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti,
- people aged between 10 and 24 in the Wairarapa,
- current Community Services Card holders, and
- Māori or Pacific people aged 12 and over.
Services include assessments and brief counseling. Talk to your GP to find out more.
Ora Toa Mauriora
GPs that are part of the Ora Toa Primary Health Organisation (Porirua and Mount Cook, Wellington) can refer people to Ora Toa Mauriora, a kaupapa Māori primary mental health and addiction service. They provide free services to assist and support rangatahi and their whānau.
Check if your GP is part of Ora Toa and find out more about Ora Toa Mauriora here.
Te Awakairangi Health Network Wellbeing Service
If you live in the Hutt Valley, and are enrolled with a GP that is a member of Te Awakairangi Health Network, you may be able to access their free primary care mental health service for people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction problems. This is for people who are Māori or Pacific, who live in a low income area, are aged 12 to 19 or aged 20 to 24 and unable to find an alternative free or low cost service.
Find out more about Te Awakairangi Health Network Wellbeing Service here.
Where else can you go for help?
If you are employed, you may be eligible for counselling or therapy as part of a scheme such as EAP (employee assistance programme).
Students may also have access to services through their education institution.
