If you aren’t sure whether there’s immediate risk, call 111 and explain the situation – they will help you work out what to do.
If the person is physically safe right now, but they are still in crisis and you’re still worried about their safety, contact either:
Your local crisis team
- These have different contact numbers depending on where you live. You can find these either here: https://info.health.nz/mental-health/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams/ or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116 and asking for the mental health crisis team in your area
- Not sure? You can still call them and ask for their advice
Or go with the person to the emergency department
- Open your maps app and put in ‘Emergency Department’
- Or: https://info.health.nz/services-support/health-and-disability-providers/hospitals/
Or call or text 1737, explain the situation and seek their advice
If someone shares with you about being abused, this can be full on to hear. Acknowledge what they’ve said and say something like ‘I’m really glad you told me that, I’m here for you’.
“Thank you for trusting me with this/sharing this with me. I’m sorry that happened to you, you didn’t deserve that/ it wasn’t your fault. Is there anything you would like me to do/I can do to support you?” – depends if it’s historic or ongoing I guess?
It’s important not to promise to keep what they’ve shared a secret, because if they may still come into contact with the abuser, you might need to contact help in order to keep them safe in the future.
https://www.areyouok.org.nz/get-support/support-for-friends-or-whanau/