Canterbury Crisis Support
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Immediate help in Canterbury
If someone may harm themselves or someone else, call 111, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact the local mental health crisis team.
Canterbury crisis support
Canterbury urgent adult mental health care uses 0800 920 092 as a key crisis support number. For child and youth mental health emergencies, Canterbury services list CAF Emergency on 0800 218 219, option 2.
Canterbury urgent adult mental health: 0800 920 092
Child, Adolescent and Family Emergency: 0800 218 219, option 2
South Canterbury urgent mental health support: 0800 277 997
Find local support by area
Canterbury may need a future split because Christchurch and wider Canterbury can become content-heavy. For now, the main towns and districts can sit together on this anchor page.
Christchurch / Ōtautahi
For Christchurch city and surrounding suburbs.
- Emergency: 111
- Urgent adult mental health: 0800 920 092
- 1737 for free call or text support
Selwyn
For Rolleston, Lincoln, Darfield, Leeston and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Canterbury crisis support: 0800 920 092
- Use GP, after-hours, or emergency department if urgent
Waimakariri
For Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Oxford and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Canterbury crisis support: 0800 920 092
- 1737 if speaking or texting feels easier
Ashburton / Mid Canterbury
For Ashburton, Methven, Rakaia and wider Mid Canterbury.
- Emergency: 111
- Canterbury crisis support: 0800 920 092
- Use nearest urgent health or hospital pathway if safety is a concern
South Canterbury / Timaru
For Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine, Waimate and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- South Canterbury urgent mental health: 0800 277 997
- 1737 for emotional support anytime
Hurunui / Kaikōura
For Amberley, Hanmer Springs, Cheviot, Kaikōura and surrounding rural/coastal communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Canterbury crisis support: 0800 920 092
- Use local urgent health or emergency pathways if needed
Lower-pressure support options
Some people need quieter options before they can make a phone call. Lower-pressure support can include texting 1737, asking someone to stay nearby, writing down what is happening, or asking a trusted person to help explain the situation.
Call or text 1737
Useful when someone needs to talk or text with a trained support person.
Ask someone to stay nearby
A trusted person can reduce pressure, help with transport, or support the call.
Write down key details
Helpful notes include location, immediate risks, medication, support people, and what feels hard right now.
Support for different needs
Some people need crisis support that is identity-safe, neurodivergent-friendly, culturally safe, youth-friendly, disability-accessible, or whānau-aware.
Youth & teens
Use simple language, reduce pressure, offer choices, and involve safe adults where appropriate.
Parents, carers & whānau
Supporters may need guidance too when someone they care about is unsafe or overwhelmed.
Neurodivergent people
Lower stimulation, clear choices, written options, and extra processing time can make support safer.
Māori & kaupapa support
Cultural safety, whānau involvement, and trusted community connections can be important parts of support.
LGBTQIA+ support
Identity-safe support matters when crisis is linked to safety, belonging, gender, sexuality, or rejection.
Rural access support
Transport, distance, phone access, and local service availability may affect how someone gets help.
What to do next
When someone is distressed, the next step does not need to be perfect. Start with safety, reduce immediate risks, stay connected, and contact the most appropriate support.
1. Check immediate safety
If there is danger now, call 111 or go to the nearest emergency department.
2. Contact crisis support
Use Canterbury crisis support, 1737, or emergency services depending on urgency.
3. Plan follow-up
After the immediate crisis, consider GP follow-up, community support, peer support, whānau support, or practical support.