Getting Help
Youth is defined as being the age between being a child and becoming an adult. It’s an exciting time of life where independence is developing, but it’s also a time where you are figuring out who you are and where you fit in the world. This can bring with it some real challenges.
A young person today is faced with all sorts of pressures from social media and peer pressure, to family issues and having to make decisions about certain topics and situations. This means you need to decide what your boundaries are and really think about where you stand when it comes to things such as sex, drugs & alcohol, bullying, violence and who you choose to associate with. Having clear, healthy boundaries can really help when faced with having to make choices.
If you need assistance there are a number of options available. Please talk to your doctor or nurse they are here to help you and can put you in touch with the right people depending on your individual needs. If you are 18 years or under it is free to visit a doctor or a nurse and sexual health consults are also free for youth aged 20 years of age and under.
See the other pages in this section for more information about sexual health, bullying, relationships and suicide.
Useful Links
Directions Youth Health Centre
Hawke's Bay's one stop shop for youth health and social support services
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Kidsline
Telephone counselling service for all kids up to 14 years of age. Kidsline operates from 4pm to 6pm Monday through to Friday. When kids ring they will speak to a Kidsline buddy, a specially trained teenage telephone counsellor.
Phone: 0800 543 754
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Youthline
Youthline was established to ensure young people know where to get help and can access support when they need it.
Helpline 0800 376 633
Free Text 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz
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Lifeline
Lifeline’s telephone counselling service provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week counselling and support. Calls are confidential and free and you will speak to a trained Lifeline counsellor.
Phone 0800 543 354
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Sparx
A unique award-winning computer program that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
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The Lowdown
If you’re stuck feeling bad the lowdown will help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. You’ll find answers to help you get unstuck.
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