Source: Whakarongorau Aotearoa
Every year, more than 30,000 New Zealanders reach out to 1737 in moments of distress – for support with anxiety, depression, loneliness, thoughts of self-harm, or simply not knowing where else to turn.
Whakarongorau Aotearoa has welcomed the Government’s additional investment in telehealth services announced today [Telehealth investment to deliver faster access to support | Beehive.govt.nz], saying the funding will help ensure more people can connect with support when they need it.
Acting Chief Executive Brian O’Connell said the announcement reflects a growing reality facing mental health services across New Zealand.
“People aren’t just reaching out more often – they’re reaching out with more complex needs, higher levels of distress, and increasingly difficult situations to navigate.”
“Every day our counsellors are supporting people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. This investment recognises both the changing demand for support and the incredible work our teams do to meet it.”
The additional funding will enable Whakarongorau to recruit more counsellors, increasing frontline staffing for 1737.
Alongside additional counsellors, Whakarongorau is continuing to invest in digital tools designed to improve access to support. Around 5,000 people access the 1737 Digital Hub each month, and new initiatives include an AI-powered Welcome Service and a Mental Health Navigation Platform to help people find the support that’s right for them.
“This investment is about much more than funding,” said Mr O’Connell. “It’s about making sure that when someone reaches out for help, there’s someone there to answer.”
“For someone sitting alone at and taking the brave step of reaching out, being able to connect with a counsellor sooner can make all the difference.”
While demand for 1737 is changing, it is the changing nature of those conversations that is placing the greatest pressure on the service. Four in ten callers are already known to secondary mental health services and the average length of a call has increased by around 50 percent since the service was established.
“Our counsellors are spending more time with people because the issues they’re dealing with are more complex. That’s not a failure of the system – it’s a reflection of the pressure many New Zealanders are under.”
Despite that growing complexity, more than 75 percent of people who contact 1737 have their needs met within that initial interaction, without needing referral elsewhere. Research has also shown the service saves lives and prevents more than 150 suicide attempts each year.
“1737 is often the front door to support. For many people it’s the first conversation they have about how they’re feeling.”
“It’s immediate, it’s free, it’s available 24 hours a day.