Postnatal depression

Support groups

These are the support groups that we know of. If you know of other support groups not listed here please email us the details.

Auckland

Canterbury & West Coast

Nationwide

Nelson & Marlborough

Taranaki

Wellington

Brochures

Helplines, Self-Tests, Online therapy

• Depression helpline. freephone 0800 111 757 
• Healthline: 0800 611 116. (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone).
• Lifeline 0800 543 35
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666 (for callers from the Lower North Island, Christchurch and West Coast) or 04 473 9739 (for callers from all other regions)
• Ministry of Health. Online self-test 
• Big White Wall. Free for Auckland DHB residents. A UK-based professionally facilitated, peer support community of people who are experiencing common mental health problems.
• Beating the Blues. Online CBT therapy module, NZ
• CALM Website. Exercises and information you can download.
• Depression.org.nz  including The Journal. NZ based self-help programme designed to teach you skills that can help get through mild to moderate depression more effectively.
• UK Mental Health Foundation. Free audio podcasts that can help you relax and improve your sense of wellbeing.
• MoodGYM is an interactive web program designed to prevent depression.

Useful links

• Postnatal Depression Family/Whānau New Zealand Trust/Mothers Matter
• Plunket
• The Postnatal Distress Support Network Trust
• Health Navigator
• Mothers' Helpers

Looking after yourself

• Useful strategies for you, your family, whānau and friends
• Make a wellbeing plan
• Learn about the Five Ways to Wellbeing

For more information

• Depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods. BPAC NZ 2010
• Depression during and after pregnancy. Factsheet from The Low Down NZ.