COVID-19 mental health and wellbeing

Who do I call if I am unwell and/or experiencing flu-like symptoms?

Call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline number for advice if you have flu-like symptoms: 0800 358 5453.  Or visit Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ.

How can I look after my mental health and general wellbeing?

It is important that you look after your mental health and wellbeing. Feelings of stress, anxiety, or loneliness when in isolation at home are completely normal. Here are some tips to help:

• Reach out to your – whānau, friends and colleagues. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important. Never hesitate to do so.
• Try sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and exercising.
• If you feel you are not coping, it is important to talk with a health professional. For support with grief, anxiety, distress, or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.
• Spend time in places at home that feel safe and comfortable as much as possible.
• Tell yourself that how you are feeling is a normal reaction and will pass – it’s nothing to be afraid of.
• Keep active – working and doing exercise can improve general wellbeing and help distract from distressing feelings. However, you must always keep a two-metre distance from other people.
• If you are feeling anxious or lonely, there are free counselling services you can use. You can find contact details for these services and other advice on the NauMai NZ ‘Feeling lonely, homesick or depressed’ page. This page also has information to help you keep in contact with friends and whānau. It is important to keep these connections.
• For kaimahi, Awanuiārangi is part of the Employee Assistance Programme. If kaimahi need professional support, please phone the Employee Assistance Programme on 0800 EAP NOW (0800 327 669). Go to EAP Services for further information: www.eapservices.co.nz.