Our Mission: ADL – a trusted not-for-profit providing accessible and sector-leading youth wellbeing, mental health, and substance misuse services. 

Our Treaty Commitment: ADL works for Pae Ora / Healthy Futures as determined by Māori, and uphold the articles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in our services to ensure equitable outcomes.

ADL is a not-for-profit NGO in the lower South Island known for its strong support of young people and their whānau.   

Over the past five years ADL’s Thrive Te Pae Ora youth primary mental health and addiction service has grown significantly and is now an integral part of the youth mental health and addiction system across the lower half of Te Wai Pounamu.  

ADL also offers longer term programmes such as Adventure Development Counselling, Te Ara Hou, community support work,and transition support for young people experiencing complex issues ranging from coexisting mental health and addiction, offending, to transition from care.  

ADL has offices in Dunedin, Timaru, Cromwell and Invercargill and also covers rural areas via mobile staff. We can see clients at school, in the community or at home, with face to face as well as online or phone options available.  

Most of our services are fully funded by the Southern DHB, South Canterbury DHB, and by the Ministry of Social Development, making them free to clients and their families.