Southland Crisis Support
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Immediate help in Southland
If someone may harm themselves or someone else, call 111, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact the local mental health emergency team. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Southland crisis support
Southland crisis mental health support is provided through the Southland Mental Health Emergency Team (SMHET), a 24/7 mobile crisis service based from Southland Hospital in Invercargill. Referrals can be made by self-referral, whānau, GPs, emergency services, and community agencies. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Southland Mental Health Emergency Team (24/7): 0800 467 846
1737 call or text support: 1737
Emergency: 111
Southland Help crisis response: 0274 680 007 (weekday crisis support) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Find local support by area
Southland can stay as one regional page for now, with local towns and districts grouped here. If needed later, Southland can split into Invercargill, Eastern Southland, Western Southland / Fiordland, and Stewart Island pathways.
Invercargill
For Invercargill city and surrounding suburbs.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- Southland Hospital emergency pathway
Gore / Eastern Southland
For Gore, Mataura and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- 1737 for lower-pressure emotional support
Winton / Central Southland
For Winton and nearby central Southland communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- Use GP, after-hours, or emergency department if urgent
Te Anau / Fiordland
For Te Anau, Manapouri and wider Fiordland communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- Distance may affect access — call ahead where possible
Riverton / Western Southland
For Riverton, Tuatapere, Otautau and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- 1737 for emotional support anytime
Stewart Island / Rakiura
For Stewart Island and remote island-based support needs.
- Emergency: 111
- Southland crisis team: 0800 467 846
- Remote access may require emergency coordination support
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 Southland 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.