Contact details of important support services
Contact details of important support services
Health and wellbeing
There are other services available to address gaming harm or related issues. These services include GPs, psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists. These experts provide specialist support and advice for addressing mental health and wellbeing.
- GPs and counsellors can be found on https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz
- Psychologists can be found on https://www.nzccp.co.nz or https://www.psychology.org.nz
- Psychotherapists can be found on https://nzap.org.nz
An extra way to provide support is by looking out for signs where extra help is needed. Take action if there is depression, suicidal ideation, or attempted suicide. These numbers can be a great start.
- The Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865.
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
- Healthline – 0800 611 116
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Peer and group support
Online support groups provide an opportunity for people with gaming problems to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Online groups usually discuss in forums and can be attended at any time, from any location.
- r/StopGaming https://www.reddit.com/r/StopGaming/
- Search for support groups on Facebook.
Strengthen your relationships
Problem gaming can affect relationships due to issues like loss of trust. Working on the relationship can minimise these harms and help people to get a better understanding of each other’s needs. It can sometimes be useful to talk to a professional with skills in relationship counselling.
The relationship services available in New Zealand include:
- Lifeline specialist counselling offers counselling to parents with dependent children. Fees are based on a sliding scale based on household income (0.1% of income) with a minimum fee of $80 for couples. To find out more you can call on (09) 909 8750 or email counselling@lifeline.org.nz
- Auckland Therapy offers Couples Therapy – this site includes a directory of available psychotherapists which can be contacted independently to make bookings and determine fees. Visit http://aucklandtherapy.co.nz for more information.
- Home and Family Counselling offer face-to-face counselling for couples. Payment is calculated on a sliding scale from $30 per session for an income of $10,000/year to $150 for income over $65,000/year.
- If you are a student, on a benefit or a low income you may be eligible for a Work and Income (WINZ) allowance that provides a subsidy of around $60 a session. You will need a doctor’s recommendation - contact WINZ for more details.