Youthline Records 50-Year High In Demand For Its Mental Health Services
Youthline urgently calls on the Government to prioritise youth mental health in the Budget
In March this year alone,Youthline Auckland is reporting a massive 246% spike in access to its youth therapy services, compared to the year prior
The Youthline 24/7 National Helpline is increasingly becoming a crisis response line for young people experiencing significant mental health distress.
The youth mental health organisation Youthline is reporting a 50-year record high in demand for its services. It's an alarming upward trend that shows no signs of abating and is in fact on the rise. The charity is making an urgent appeal to Government to prioritise and invest in youth mental health in the upcoming 2025 Budget.
Shae Ronald, CEO, Youthline, said the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 19: Fragile Gains – Child Wellbeing at Risk in an Unpredictable World made sobering reading when it was released late last week. UNICEF's latest report highlighted New Zealand as having some of the worst youth mental health outcomes among high-income countries.
'It's just further confirmation of what we are experiencing first-hand on the frontline of the youth mental health crisis. Our own Youthline State of the Generation 2023 reported increased levels of youth mental health distress since COVID 19 and this trend is reflected internationally.
'We strongly urge the Government to focus on young people and invest in helping them get the help they need. That includes prevention, early intervention and crisis support. It requires a collaborative, all community approach, with young people involved in shaping the solutions, at the centre.'
In March this year alone, Youthline Auckland experienced a 246% increase in counselling services being accessed compared to the year prior. In addition, one third of contacts to the national Helpline are now deemed high risk relating to suicide, self-harm or abuse. In the first quarter, Youthline experienced a 20% increase in high-risk contacts with a 24% increase in the number of contacts requiring external intervention, evidence of a further escalation in the severity of contacts being dealt with.
However, Youthline Auckland is budgeted to make a significant loss of over $600,000 in the next year (April 2025 – March 2026).
'The reality is that our services have never been more in demand, and ironically, we're facing a big shortfall in our operational costs to keep delivering our services in the next year. We really appreciate the funding we receive from the Government, our partners and supporters that enables us to be there for young people when they need us most. We urgently need more funding to ensure we can keep being there for young people who are reaching out for help in record numbers,' Ronald concluded.
Liz Hosking-Clement, Clinical Improvement Lead, Youthline, says the 24/7 National Helpline is increasingly becoming a crisis response line.
'We're seeing an unprecedented number of young people reach out for support, our reporting indicates a marked increase in the number of risk-related concerns being disclosed to our services, including risks of harm to self, harm to others, and harm from others,' she said.
In the first quarter of this year, there has been a steep increase in our external referrals for emergency or very high-risk situations, with increasing engagement required with Emergency services, Oranga Tamariki, and mental health crisis teams.
Hosking-Clement said the UNICEF report card around New Zealand's youth mental health was disappointing but unsurprising.
'It just confirms what our front-line clinicians are seeing every day – young people feeling suicidal or self-harming, struggling with bullying, experiencing abuse, and struggling with their mental health. Our health sector has spent a lot of time and resources telling young people to reach out for support when they need it, so we need to make sure Youthline is here to deliver and meet the demand so that we can continue to do the critical mahi when it comes to supporting and keeping our young people and their whānau safe.
'Youthline is advocating for the Government to invest meaningfully in young people as the future of our country. Young people should be able to access support easily, without confusion or delay,' said Hosking-Clement. 'This requires sustained investment in services that young people trust. Services like Youthline that are visible, youth-friendly, and equipped to respond when young people reach out.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Patient-Focused New Zealand Health Plan Tabled
Minister of Health Health New Zealand's New Zealand Health Plan was tabled in Parliament this afternoon. Developed by Health New Zealand, the plan is a requirement under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. 'The plan outlines how Health New Zealand will deliver on the Government's health priorities over the period 2024–2027,' Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'It sets the direction for how we will improve health outcomes and ensure all New Zealanders can access the care they need, where and when they need it. 'It gives effect to the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027, with a clear focus on the Government's five health targets and five mental health targets: Health targets: faster cancer treatment improved childhood immunisation shorter stays in emergency departments shorter wait times for first specialist assessments shorter wait times for elective treatment. Mental health and addiction targets: faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services faster access to primary mental health and addiction services shorter mental health and addiction related stays in emergency departments increased mental health and addiction workforce development strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention. 'The plan is focused on achieving the Government's health targets, ensuring the health system delivers real results for patients and communities. These targets are backed by clear accountability and transparent reporting, so the public can track progress on a regular basis. 'Reducing wait times is a key priority for the Government. Too many New Zealanders have been left waiting far too long for the care they need. Under the last Government, waitlists ballooned – with the number of Kiwis waiting more than four months for elective procedures like hip, knee, or cataract surgeries increasing by over 2,500 per cent. 'Health New Zealand is focussed on delivering the Elective Boost programme, which will deliver 21,000 additional procedures over the 2025/2026 year to help clear the backlog of patients needing care.' The plan also sets out how the Government will grow and support the health workforce; improve clinical leadership with continuous quality improvement and innovation; invest in essential hospital infrastructure; ensure services are delivered more consistently across the country; and strengthen primary care across New Zealand so that people can receive timely, quality care in the community. 'Our focus is clear: putting patients back at the centre of the health system. We're building a system that delivers real results, and this plan is a key part of that,' Mr Brown says. Note:
NZ Herald
15 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Gisborne targets youth vaping with CBD smoke-free policy
However, some councillors questioned whether it was a matter for the council or a public health issue for the central Government to address. 'It's a health problem. I worry we're dipping into things that we shouldn't be,' said councillor Debbie Gregory. Councillor Rawinia Parata responded that policies like these only made kids hide their smoking. In contrast, councillor Colin Alder said central Government had let them down. As an ex-smoker who battled an addiction for most of his life, Alder said he would love all the money he spent on smoking back 'with interest'. 'The companies that have been peddling this addiction are rubbing their hands together.' According to the meeting's report, Tairāwhiti continued to have the highest smoking rates in the country. However, data showed it was decreasing, with the rate of smoking dropping from 22% to 12% between 2018 and 2023, the report said. Action for Smokefree 2025 (Ash NZ) surveys thousands of Year 10 students every year on smoking and vaping behaviour habits. In 2023, the National Public Health Services prepared a report for the Gisborne District Council using Ash NZ data to understand the extent of vaping in the region. The percentage of participating Gisborne students who regularly vape soared from 1.6% in 2015 to 36% in 2022, but had decreased to 26.6% in 2023. The number of students who had tried vaping at least once had increased from a quarter in 2015 to just over half (54.7%) in 2023. The Māori rate of regular vaping (37.0%) was significantly higher than the rate for European/other (14.4%), according to the report. Councillor Nick Tupara agreed it was a government responsibility and a public health issue, particularly for Māori. However, the council could not expect national change if there was no voice locally. 'Looking at the data, it is epidemic, and it was during my mother's time and my grandmother's time.' Councillor Teddy Thompson said New Zealand was behind the eight ball, noting that in Australia, vape flavours were limited and people could only buy vapes from pharmacies. He and Gregory asked for the cost of updating signage, while councillor Larry Foster wanted to expand the policy area to include the central business district. The policy's designated smoke-free areas are playgrounds, parks, sports grounds, beaches, and outdoor public areas around council buildings and facilities, as well as any events run or funded by the council. Strategic planning manager Charlotte Knight said that as the policy was a position statement rather than an enforceable rule, it did not require consultation. After the majority of councillors voted in favour of Foster's suggestion, Knight said the council would include the CBD, and the area would be the same as the Local Alcohol Policy definition. A council spokeswoman said the cost to update the policy was minimal. There might be some funding from the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to help with updating signage, she said. Mayor Rehette Stoltz recalled how, in 2018, the council questioned how it would enforce its initial smoking policy. 'The community self-police. At the end of the day, people slowly stop smoking in places that they used to, and now people just don't.' Stoltz said the policy was 'more a signal from the council to the community on what we value in our open spaces for our children'. 'Let's send that message and make it supportive. It is a health issue, there is help available, and not to shame people,' she said. According to the council report, no council in New Zealand had a smoke-free/vape-free bylaw. The Whanganui District Council did adopt a bylaw. However, it revoked it because of enforcement issues and now used a voluntary policy, the report said. The council will update its website by September 1 to communicate the policy changes.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm
Headspace Invaders is a new interactive platform that helps 12–16-year-olds build online resilience, critical thinking, and the confidence to respond early when they see something that feels wrong or manipulative online. The platform has been launched today in Wellington, at an event opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden. Designed by Netsafe, with input from young people, educators, Youthline, and subject matter experts, the free platform features three fast-paced, gamified modules that echo the look and feel of 80s arcade game, Space Invaders. Each section includes games, videos, and realistic examples designed to support young people to notice emotional manipulation and polarising content; reflect critically before reacting or engaging; respond safely and support others when harm begins to appear and recognise that early action can help prevent escalation. Additional resources enable teachers to use the platform in the classroom, and parents to have conversations at home. Chief Customer Officer for Netsafe, Leanne Ross, said young people are exposed to emotionally charged, polarising, or pressuring content online. Examples include viral misinformation and emotionally charged posts, identity-based slurs, memes, or humour that normalise exclusion, polarising narratives or secretive groups promoting 'us versus them' thinking and signs of extremist influence, especially in especially in social feeds led by algorithms, chat and gaming spaces. 'Many say they want help understanding what they're seeing and how to respond safely. Headspace Invaders fills a gap between basic digital safety and more advanced intervention tools. It focuses on the moments where confusion, pressure, or manipulation starts to take hold, well before someone might become involved in serious harm,' said Ross. This is one of the first youth-facing tools in New Zealand to explore online extremism, identity-based harm, and misinformation from a youth-led educational prevention lens. 'It reflects growing concern from schools, whānau, and frontline services about online content that isolates, manipulates, or gradually shifts young people's beliefs and behaviours. The platform is accompanied by teacher and parent guides, and grounded in prevention, not fear,' said Ross. Headspace Invaders was co-designed with 13 to 15-year-olds, including a dedicated Youth Co-Design Team and support from Netsafe's Youth Action Squad. Youthline contributed sector research and developed the platform's written content, ensuring that every section is evidence-informed, inclusive, and grounded in youth wellbeing. The process was guided by an academic steering group and informed by subject matter experts from across the prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) sector. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley (MA MSc PhD ONZM FRSNZ), Honorary Research Associate at Te Kura Pukenga Tangata / College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University was one of the steering group members. 'All the evidence indicates that early interventions are the most effective – and none more so than when it comes to online safety and appropriate behaviour – and that co-design with young New Zealanders is critical if these interventions and guidelines are going to work,' said Spoonley. Dr Philippa Smith, an expert in digital media literacy and online harms, provided research-based advice during the development of Headspace Invaders and was also on the steering group. 'The more we can strengthen young people's media literacy skills, so they can critically assess what is credible versus what is false, manipulative or harmful, the more we equip them to participate safely and confidently in digital life. This resource empowers young people to navigate a minefield of negative online behaviours,' said Dr Smith. The platform is made up of three self-guided interactive modules: 1. Misinformation and Disinformation: how false or manipulated content spreads and why people fall for it 2. Harmful Online Behaviour: how online comments, jokes or patterns can become isolating, harmful, or prejudice-based 3. Online Extremism: how extremist thinking often begins subtly, and how to recognise early warning signs Explore, a national provider of Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and part of New Zealand Health Group, partnered with Netsafe for the launch as part of their collaborative work under the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Fund. Alongside the Headspace Invaders platform, they launched educator and front-line training on recognising and responding to online extremism at today's event. This is the second year Netsafe and Explore have worked together. Explore's NZ Health Group Director of Disability, Amanda Bleckmann, said the organisation is proud to launch PCVE Positive Online Interventions at the event today. This is a suite of eLearning modules designed to reduce the risk of radicalisation by equipping frontline professionals with the tools to engage early, safely, and effectively. 'This initiative is the result of a powerful and enduring collaboration across government agencies. We have worked closely with international experts, including the Violence Prevention Network, and with our workforce development partner MySkill. Most importantly, we've drawn on the wisdom of cultural and community leaders, because context and connection are key to making this work effective and safe,' she said. Headspace Invaders is now ready for use in classrooms and communities. We invite you to share it with educators and youth networks.
