Crisis support service Lifeline has taken on 100 new counsellors this month in a bid to help support those struggling over the holiday season.
Executive director Glenda Schnell told 1 NEWS that, while the amount of calls during the Christmas period generally remains similar to other months, the essence of the calls is often more complicated.
"The nature of the calls received are typically from those who are usually supported by a counsellor, support worker or psychologist and who are unable to access those services at this time of year," Ms Schnell said.
"In practical terms, this can mean that we get calls that are longer in duration, more complex mental health issues."
Loneliness and grief are part of a variety of reasons why people contact the helpline over the Christmas period.
The introduction of the new counsellors will mean more calls can be answered, Schnell said.
"For some, this can mean a life-saving call."
Lifeline earlier this year called on the public for donations to help cover the cost of running the helpline through "The 72 Club" campaign.
The appeal came after revelations that one in four calls were going unanswered due to a funding shortage.
The 24/7 helpline has been responding to a higher volume of callers in severe distress over the past few months.
Lifeline counsellors take six calls per day on average from people in severe distress, but this has increased from between eight to 10 callers per day.
Ms Schnell says this increase is a result of counsellors being able to answer more calls.
This year, the helpline received 103,000 calls, 88,000 texts and over 2700 high-risk calls between January and November.
- By Emily Heyward
Where to get help:
Need to talk? 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354
Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 or www.depression.org.nz
The Lowdown: A website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. www.thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
SPARX.org.nz – Online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed
OUTLine NZ – 0800 688 5463 for support related to sexual orientation or gender identity
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