Harmony Counselling Service
A Counsellor Who Cares For You
Other Relevant Links for Extra Help
In a crisis now and need to talk, or it's outside of Harmony Counselling Services business hours?
In a crisis now and need to talk, or it's outside of Harmony Counselling Services business hours?
You may find the following services helpful:
Emergency Services – are a 24-hour free phone or text service (calls from a mobile phone with no credit are free) to request Police, Ambulance or Fire assistance if you are in need of URGENT medical or safety assistance or an incident is occurring at the time of your call - phone 111 now. Otherwise, phone 105 for all other inquiries or are in need of NON urgent assistance.
Police - For all urgent and non-urgent criminal matters. You can also find a range of helpful information including the process for supporting you in a family harm/violence situation as well as the sexual assault/harm reporting process, so you can make an informed decision before contacting police. Any person can also apply under the Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme (FVIDS) if you are concerned about a person who is in a relationship and have concerns about their safety.
If you need urgent Police help but cannot speak because you are afraid for your safety or that of others around you, the 111 operator can assist you in the following ways:
If it’s not safe for you to speak, stay silent, push 55 on your mobile phone (or any button from a landline) and you will be put through to Police.
Once connected to Police, the Police call taker will attempt to communicate with you by asking simple yes or no questions and you will be asked to push any keys on your phone in response to these questions. If you are not able to speak, listen carefully to the questions and instructions from the call taker so they can assess your call and arrange assistance for you.
If you can, it is always best to speak to the call taker even by whispering. You may need to whisper to give your location.
Emergency Caller Location Information (ECLI)
If you are calling from a mobile phone, the Emergency Caller Location Information (ECLI) system allows automatically generated information about the location of that device to be made available, at the time of the call, to the emergency service (Police, Fire or Ambulance). ECLI information indicates the approximate geographical position of a mobile device and is generated by an emergency 111 call from that device. Using ECLI improves the accuracy and speed with which Emergency call takers can verify a caller’s location.
The system is managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the process and system has been included in a Code of Practice (link is external) issued by the Privacy Commissioner. Police will only hold the ECLI for the purpose of responding to an emergency call and will keep a record of the information that was relied upon to respond to the call.
Ambulance - For all urgent and non-urgent medical transport as well as first-aid training courses, first aid supplies and AED Defibrillators.
Fire - For all urgent and non-urgent fire and rescue requirements.
Free to Talk – is a 24-hour free phone or text service to communicate with a Counsellor about any issue troubling you including suicidal and self-harm thoughts.
Lifeline Aotearoa – is a 24-hour free phone or text service to communicate with a Counsellor or trained volunteer about any issue troubling you, including suicidal and self-harm thoughts.
Depression NZ – is a 24-hour free phone, text or email service to communicate with a Counsellor about your feelings around depression, anxiety or suicidal and self-harm thoughts. They also have specialist services to support Maori and Pasefika people and online tests you can take to assess your depression and anxiety for yourself if you wish to.
Samaritans – is a 24-hour free phone service to talk about your feelings around depression, anxiety, suicidal and self-harm thoughts, despair, distress or whatever you're going through, to support you through a tough time.
Youthline – is a free 24-hour service for youth to speak with a Counsellor via text, phone, web chat, Skype, email or face to face about any issues troubling you including suicidal and self-harm thoughts. They are also happy to speak with other family members, carers, parents and grandparents.
Kidsline – is a free 24-hour free phone service to speak with a trained youth volunteer about any issue troubling you for all children and youth up to 18 years old. On weekdays between 4pm – 9pm, you talk directly with a specially trained 'Kidsline Buddy' who is a year 12 or year 13 student and can support you with your particular situation and feelings.
Plunketline – is a free 24-hour phone parent helpline and advice service available to all families, whānau and caregivers seven days a week. When you call PlunketLine, your call will be answered by a Plunket nurse, who can give you health advice and information on parenting issues and your child’s health and wellbeing. They also have nurses who can speak other languages. You don’t have to be registered with Plunket to access or use PlunketLine services.
Crisis Assessment Team (CAT) – Phone 0800 920 092 a free 24-hour crisis service by Registered Nurses and Psychiatrists for assessment of mental health emergencies.
Womens Refuge – is a free 24-hour free phone service to get confidential advice and help with Family Harm/Violence. They can provide emergency safe accommodation to keep your and your children safe, including incidents regarding sexual harm. They also provide specialist support for Maori Wahine, Migrants & Refugees, Lesbian & Older Women as well as Women with Disabilities and Youth/Children.
Hey Bro – is a free 24-hour free phone service to get confidential advice and help with Family Harm/Violence including for those who are doing the harm. When you are angry or have been angry and are ready to seek help, they are ready waiting for your call. They understand how anger can take control and lead to hurting people you love. Their goal is to keep whanau/families together safely using their experience and ability to provide various support services needed.
Safe to Talk – is a 24-hour free phone or online chat service to communicate with a Counsellor relating to any issue regarding Sexual Abuse/Harm.
Victim Support – provides a 24-hour free service for victims of crimes to access support with a trained volunteer and referral to funded free therapy sessions with a specific trauma experienced Counsellor under their funding - Victim Assistance Schemes (VAS) including Homicide Counselling, Death by a Criminal Act Counselling, Sexual Violence Counselling (if you are unable to access an ACC approved sensitive claims therapist), Serious Crime Emergency and Civil Defence Emergency Management Counselling.
Healthline – is a 24-hour free phone service to speak with a Registered Nurse for advice about any non-emergency health concern you may have. If it is a medical emergency – please call Emergency Services on 111 and ask for an ambulance.
The Alcohol Drug Helpline – is a 24-hour free phone service to speak with a trained Counsellor for friendly, non-judgmental, professional help and advice. If you are concerned about your own drinking or drug taking they can assist with information, insight and support. If you are a family/whanau member, friend concerned about someone else, they can help you develop strategies for yourself and the other person. They provide specific services including those for Māori, Pacific peoples, Youth, Work and Income clients and those impacted upon by Methamphetamine use and include a big range of useful printed information they can send you.
Oranga Tamariki – is a 24-hour free phone service to speak with a trained Social Worker if you have any care and protection concerns for the welfare of a child. You can speak to them anonymously if you choose, regarding your worry for the child/children concerned, or you can email them instead.
Other useful community services:
Resilience Hub - for specifically connecting Cantabrians to various health support organisations and wellbeing information during tough times.
Citizens Advice Bureau - Provides free, confidential, independent information and advice to anyone on thousands of helpful topics. They help people know what their rights are and how to access services they need.
Community Alcohol & Drug Service (CADS) – A free outpatient service located in Christchurch providing comprehensive alcohol and drug assessment, treatment planning and advice. You can self-refer or be referred by another service. Open Monday to Friday 830am – 5pm.
Quitline – a free phone, text, online or face to face service to speak with a trained quit smoking worker to support you to stop smoking, including access to Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges.
Gambling Helpline – a free 24-hour phone service to speak with a Counsellor for people experiencing problem gambling or for those people who are supporting someone with a gambling problem. They also have specialist services to support Maori, Pasefika, and Youth. They can also provide specific debt and budgeting assistance.
Male Survivors Aotearoa – The Canterbury Men's Centre provides a confidential male specific support service for men who have been sexually harmed including prison inmates or males on probation.
Stop Christchurch – An Assessment and Intervention service for adolescents and adults who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour and for children with concerning sexual behaviours.
Family Violence It's Not Ok – An information line for information about services that can help you if you are experiencing or witnessing violence, or want to change your own behaviour. It is always OK to ask for help.
All Right? – A Cantabrian resource for information on various emotional wellbeing and parenting related issues to provide support. They have many culturally specific resources available as well as an extensive list of Canterbury based parenting courses and free mental wellbeing resources for whanau/families and workplaces.
After A Suicide – Helpful information for families, whanau and friends offering practical information and guidance if someone you love or care about has died by suicide.
Whanau Ora Services – Helpful information for Maori and whanau on a range of kaupapa Maori services in the Canterbury region including mental health, pregnancy, parenting, tamariki well child checks, mobile nurses, individual health care plans, smoking cessation and more.
Le Va – Helpful information and support for Pasifika families and communities to unleash their full potential and have the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes by covering issues from suicide and violence prevention, mental health and addiction, educational scholarships, pasifika cultural engagement training and more.
Community Law – They offer all sorts of free legal help on a range of issues, from easy-to-read information, to community workshops, to one-on-one legal help in local offices all over New Zealand.
Money Talks – Available to provide free budgeting advice to individuals, family and whānau including helping you understand your financial situation, organise your debt, plan for the future and get you in touch with a local budgeting service near you.
Netsafe – Is an independent organisation focused on online safety. They help people stay safe online by providing free online safety education, advice and support. They can provide information and advice about using digital technology safely and about managing online challenges, such as online harassment, bullying and abuse.
Work & Income NZ (WINZ) And Studylink Counselling – Information and benefits relating to subsidised counselling fees and assistance with transport costs to attend counselling sessions. You don't have to be already on a WINZ or Studylink benefit to qualify for this assistance.
ACC – Find information on how to access free counselling if you have suffered from a physical injury affecting you or have experienced sexual harm for a 'Sensitive Claims' registered therapist. You do not need to have reported to police to access this counselling service.
Aunty Dee – Free online tool for anyone who needs some help working through a problem or problems, using a systematic approach to decision-making based on structured problem-solving including the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach. Aunty Dee has been culturally designed with Pacifica people in mind.
Gumboot Friday New Zealand/I Am Hope Charity - Children, youth and young adults aged under 25 years old may apply directly for funding via a quick and simple online process for a limited number of counselling sessions with a selection of therapists registered with their organisation.
Cerebral Palsy Society – Clients with Cerebral Palsy can apply for a limited number of free funded "Get Up Again" counselling sessions with a therapist of their choice.
Canterbury District Health Board Mental Health Services – a free non-emergency general and specialist mental health community service with Registered Nurses, Psychiatrists and other Allied Health Professionals for those experiencing acute or chronic mental health issues including eating disorders, forensic issues, intellectual disability for children, youth, adults and older persons. They provide assessment, treatment and support services.
NZ Relay – A service for deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired people to be able to communicate via the many options available that they can provide.
Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly Blind Foundation) - A service for blind or low vision people to assist with various supports available.
Outline NZ – A service to support LGBTIQ+ community members and family members with any issues relating to gender or sexual diversity including connecting people with other LGBTIQ+ friendly services and organisations.
Ministry of Health Disability Services – A service to support people and their family or carers with various disabilities.
EZi Speak – A phone or face to face language interpreting service to support non or limited English speaking people to communicate. Available currently in 180+ languages.
Telehealth Counselling Benefits - If you would like to see an overview of the pros and cons of Telehealth (video link) counselling, check out the following link:
Benestar - An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider that contracts to employers to provide counselling and critical incident services at no cost to the employee.
Raise - An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider that contracts to employers to provide counselling and critical incident services at no cost to the employee.
Instep - An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider that contracts to employers to provide counselling and critical incident services at no cost to the employee.
Vitae - An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider that contracts to employers to provide counselling and critical incident services at no cost to the employee.
New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association (NZCCA) – A professional Counsellors membership body where you can find information about Counsellors in your area.
New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) - A professional Counsellors membership body where you can find information about Counsellors in your area.
Health & Disability Commissioner – Where you can find information about your health rights.
There are many other services in the community not listed here. If you would like information about a service to support your specific need, feel free to ask me, and I will be happy to assist you further.
