0800 What's Up - child/teen helpline

25/02/2026

Allanah has spent over 20 years supporting children and young people during their most vulnerable moments. 💚💛

Sophia, 14, was struggling with anxiety, trauma, and self-harm. She reached out to What's Up and, with Allanah’s guidance, was able to feel heard, safe, and supported - taking the first step towards coping and healing. 💙

Learn more about how What's Up counsellors like Allanah help young people when they need it most:

Every child deserves to be heard. Help us be the voice on the other end of the line.

20/02/2026

Taking care of our children and young people’s mental wellbeing matters. One simple way to start is by checking in with them regularly. 🌟

You could ask:
• How have you been feeling lately?
• What’s been making you happy?
• Who do you talk to when things feel tough?

These small conversations help children know they’re supported and not alone.

You can also remind them that they can reach out to a trusted adult - or talk to a What’s Up counsellor for free and confidential support.

They can call 0800 942 8787or chat via whatsup.co.nz. If it’s big to them, it’s big to us.

17/02/2026

Sophia was just 14 when the weight of school pressure, family conflict, and unspoken trauma became too much to carry alone. When things reached crisis point and police came to her home, she couldn’t find the words to explain how lost she felt.

Then one afternoon, Sophia reached out to us, typing a single word into the webchat: “Hi.” In that safe, anonymous space, she was met by a What's Up counsellor who listened without judgement and helped her feel safe again.

Read Sophia’s story below.👇
If a young person you know aged 5-19 needs someone to talk to, they can call What’s Up on 0800 942 8787 or webchat at whatsup.co.nz.

https://whats-up-appeal.barnardos.org.nz/sophiasstory

Every child deserves to be heard. Help us be the voice on the other end of the line.

04/01/2026

The school holidays can be exciting, but they can also bring challenges for some tamariki and rangatahi. If your child needs someone to talk to, our counsellors are here for them. They can call 0800 942 8787 or chat online at whatsup.co.nz.

We’re here to support them through any challenge.

29/12/2025

Friendships are an important part of life for tamariki and rangatahi, especially over the holidays.

Here are some ways to help them stay connected:
• Send a quick message to friends to say “hi”
• Plan a fun hangout or activity
• Encourage them to meet new mates at the local library, community, or youth centre

If your child or young person is finding things difficult, remind them they can reach out to our What's Up counsellors. Free support is available every day from 11am–11pm.

24/12/2025

Meri Kerihimete – Merry Christmas!
If today feels tough for your children or teens, remember our counsellors are here to listen. They can call 0800 942 8787 or chat online at whatsup.co.nz from 11am–11pm.

19/12/2025

Christmas is often thought of as the happiest time of year, but that isn’t the case for everyone. Some tamariki and rangatahi can feel lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed. If your child needs someone to talk to, our counsellors are available on Christmas Day, 11am–11pm. Call 0800 942 8787 or visit whatsup.co.nz to chat.

10/10/2025

It’s World Mental Health Day 💚

Today’s a good reminder to check in with the young people in your life and let them know that 0800 What’s Up is here whenever they need to talk.

Our free counselling service is available for children and young people aged 5 to 19 - from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week, all year round.

If it’s big to them, it’s big to us.
📞 Call 0800 942 8787 or 💬 chat online at whatsup.co.nz

06/10/2025

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re sharing Adam’s story.

At just eight years old, Adam has faced significant challenges — losing his grandfather, navigating conflict at home, and coping with the changes of moving between households. What made a difference was the consistent support around him.

A Barnardos social worker connected Adam with one of our counsellors at What’s Up. With support from his school, he had a quiet space and time during class to take calls, helping him feel safe, express his feelings, and begin to build trust.

Stories like Adam’s show how collaboration between schools, whānau, and services can help tamariki get the right support at the right time — before challenges escalate.

Read Adam’s full story here:https://supportmentalhealth.barnardos.org.nz/adams_story

Every child deserves to be heard. Help us be the voice on the other end of the line.

27/05/2025

"Sometimes kids just need someone to listen."

Our amazing Team Leader, Dharshana Ponnampalam, joined Newstalk ZB's Parenting Squad podcast to kōrero about children’s mental health and why having someone safe to talk to — like a What’s Up counsellor — can make all the difference.
She shares:
💬 Why tamariki and rangatahi reach out
📞 How our counsellors respond with empathy and understanding
🧠 What parents can do to support their child’s mental wellbeing
Listen to the full conversation here:
🔗https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-weekend-collective/the-parent-squad/dharshana-ponnampalam-how-to-deal-with-a-childs-mental-health-struggles/

And remember — we are here for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5–19, 7 days a week, 11am–11pm. No cost, no judgment, just someone to talk to. Your tamariki can call 0800 942 8787 or e-chat via whatsup.co.nz.

How much is social media affecting children's mental health? When does a child need counselling services, and how do you approach a discussion about gettin

01/01/2025

Encourage your tamariki or rangatahi to set goals for 2025! Big or small, every achievement matters. Sit down together and write them out – seeing their goals can inspire action. 👏🙌

If they need support, our counsellors are here to help. Call 0800 942 8787 or chat online at whatsup.co.nz.
#2025

31/12/2024

As 2025 approaches, we want to thank the courageous tamariki and rangatahi who reached out to us this year. They've inspired us with their bravery.

Remember, we’re here for your child or young person if they need someone to talk to. They can call 0800 942 8787 or chat online at whatsup.co.nz.

Here's to a new year and new beginnings!
#2025