Media Release
August 10, 2026
Youthline launches Walk the Talk as record demand places growing pressure on 24/7 Helpline
The number of young people contacting Youthline has reached record levels, with more children than ever before seeking help, including some as young as seven years old.
Over the past six months, Youthline has connected an average of four young people every day with emergency services because they were at immediate risk of harm. Just a few years ago, that figure was closer to one a week. At the same time, the age of those seeking help continues to fall, with one in 10 callers now under the age of 12.
New Zealand ranks last among OECD countries for youth mental health and has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the developed world, highlighting the growing need for accessible support services.
As demand for its services continues to grow, Youthline is calling on New Zealanders to step up by taking part in Walk the Talk, its annual 30-day fundraising challenge throughout September. Participants commit to walking or moving every day of the month, while raising funds to help keep Youthline’s free 24/7 Helpline available for young people across Aotearoa.
All funds raised through Walk the Talk go directly towards the 24/7 Helpline. The free service provides support by phone, text, webchat and WhatsApp, ensuring young people can reach out in the way that feels safest and most comfortable for them.
Chief executive Shae Ronald says the organisation is seeing more young people reaching out than ever before, and many of those who contact the Helpline are experiencing increasingly complex challenges.
“Youth mental health in Aotearoa is at breaking point. The need has never been greater and the cost of keeping every channel open continues to rise,” says Ms Ronald. “That’s why we need New Zealanders to help us walk the talk and raise funds to support that.”
“Not only are more young people reaching out than ever before, but the situations they’re facing are becoming increasingly serious. Every day our team supports young people experiencing anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, family conflict and abuse, often all at once rather than as isolated issues.
“We’re also seeing younger children reaching out for support. That’s incredibly concerning, but it also reinforces why it’s so important that we’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever a young person needs someone to talk to.”
As demand and costs continues to rise, peer-to-peer fundraising through the annual Walk the Talk challenge has become increasingly important to help sustain the service.
Ms Ronald says every person who signs up to Walk the Talk will make a tangible difference.
“Walk the Talk is something anyone can take part in. Whether you walk, run, swim, paddle or simply get moving every day throughout September, every dollar raised through Walk the Talk goes directly towards keeping Youthline’s 24/7 Helpline available, so whenever a young person reaches out – whether by phone, text, webchat or WhatsApp – someone is there to answer the call.”
Registrations for Walk the Talk are now open. New Zealanders can sign up as individuals, schools, workplaces or teams by visiting www.walkthetalk.nz