Droga5 NZ's Powerful Campaign Helps Young People in Distress

Youthline has partnered with Droga5 ANZ, part of Accenture Song, to launch a powerful new nationwide donation campaign aimed at supporting young people in crisis.

Youthline, a registered charity and trusted name in youth mental health for more than 55 years, now operates a 24/7 helpline -- expanded in 2023 following research showing that nighttime is a particularly high-risk period for Rangatahi (youth) in distress. As demand grows, the organisation urgently needs public support to ensure every call and text can be answered.

The Youthline donation campaign ran across New Zealand in December, spanning out-of-home, mall media, social, online, and radio. Each touchpoint is anchored by one clear, potent line: 'Help Us Answer' -- a message that acts simultaneously as headline, call to action and a simple, compelling donation mechanic.

The campaign’s creative approach is intentionally pared back. Using a visually driven, typographic-led concept, the work highlights the reality that young people are reaching out right now, and that Youthline must be there when they do. Every execution directs New Zealanders to donate at youthline.co.nz, reinforcing the tangible impact of their support.

Youthline exists to support young people with their mental health, but the pressure on its helpline has intensified. A third of all calls now come from young people at risk of harm, prompting up to three emergency interventions every day. New Zealand continues to face some of the highest rates of youth suicide and bullying across high-income countries.

For many potential donors, youth mental health can feel like an overwhelming issue -- one without a clear point of connection. This campaign addresses that challenge head-on by demonstrating exactly how donations help: they allow Youthline to be there in the moment a young person reaches out. To donate, visit here 

Anastasia Potter, GM fundraising and marketing at Youthline, said, “Every call or text we answer can be life-changing, and sometimes life saving. But we can only continue to be there with the support of New Zealanders.

"This campaign captures the urgency and simplicity of what we need right now: donations that help us answer. We’re asking Aotearoa to stand with our young people and give at youthline.co.nz.”

Damon Stapleton, chief creative officer at Droga5 ANZ, added, “When a young person reaches out to Youthline, that moment matters. Our job was to remove the noise and focus on the simplest, most powerful truth: Youthline needs donations to answer every call. ‘Help Us Answer’ says exactly that -- clearly, directly, and everywhere.”