Otago Crisis Support
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Immediate help in Otago
If someone may harm themselves or someone else, call 111, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact the local mental health crisis team.
Otago crisis support
Otago urgent mental health support is available through the Southern mental health crisis pathway. The main crisis support line for Otago and Southland is 0800 467 846.
Otago / Southland mental health crisis support: 0800 467 846
1737 call or text support: 1737
Emergency: 111
Find local support by area
Otago may later split into Dunedin, Queenstown-Lakes, Central Otago, and North Otago. For now, the main towns and districts can sit together on this anchor page.
Dunedin / Ōtepoti
For Dunedin city and surrounding suburbs.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- 1737 for free call or text support
Queenstown-Lakes
For Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- Use GP, after-hours, or emergency department if urgent
Wānaka
For Wānaka, Hāwea and nearby Upper Clutha communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- 1737 if speaking or texting feels easier
Central Otago
For Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- Use nearest urgent health or hospital pathway if safety is a concern
North Otago / Oamaru
For Oamaru and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- 1737 for emotional support anytime
Rural Otago
For smaller rural communities where travel and distance may affect support access.
- Emergency: 111
- Otago crisis support: 0800 467 846
- 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 Otago 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.