9 Jun 2020

Alarming new stats on youth mental health and Covid-19

From Nine To Noon, 9:25 am on 9 June 2020
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Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

New statistics paint an alarming picture of the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of children and young people.
Youthline says from mid March to mid April, it had a 50 per cent increase in contacts over suicide, self harm, anxiety and depression over the same period last year.

Barnados, which runs the free helpline for under 18s, 0800 Whats Up, says text messages and webchats about about suicidal thoughts increased by 159 per cent in April 2020 compared with April 2019.

New Zealand has the highest youth suicide rate in the OECD.

Kathryn speaks with Youthline Chief Executive Shae Ronald, Barnados General Manager of Advocacy Dr Claire Achmad and Ministry of Health Deputy-Director General Mental Health and Addiction, Robyn Shearer.

Youthline: 0800 376 633 available 24/7
Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 - 1pm to 10pm weekdays, 3pm to 10pm weekends   
Kidsline: 0800 543 754 - available 24/7
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 - available 24/7
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) - available 24/7
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 - available 24/7
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 - available 24/7