Mental Health

Primary Health Counselling Programme

We are a free Primary Mental Health Brief Intervention service that offers counselling support to clients with mild to moderate mental health issues.

We work with the local General Practice teams to improve the health and wellbeing of Coasters. We are a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals. Each member has the clinical expertise to help you develop your ability to manage stress, regulate your emotions and develop coping skills.

The brief intervention service is confidential. We will not disclose information about you to a third party without your informed consent.

This service can help you with:

  • Relieving anxiety and depression, managing stressful situations and understanding change including loss and grief;
  • Specific therapies to help you with problem-solving and different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving;
  • Information, advice and support about healthy lifestyle;
  • Increasing resilience and satisfaction with life;
  • Referral and liaison to other health or social service agencies.

Please ask your doctor or nurse if you want to know more about this programme. If you are 12-18 years old please refer to our 'Youth referral form' .http://www.westcoastpho.org.nz/self-referral-forms/youth-mental-health-referral-form

Helpful Links

 

 

https://allright.org.nz/

https://depression.org.nz/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Health Awareness Week is fast approaching! This year's theme is Reimagine Wellbeing Together – He Tirohanga Anamata.

 

During Covid-19 restrictions, many of us had to reconsider the things we could do to feel good and stay well. Now, we're presented with an opportunity to rediscover together what wellbeing means for us.

So, whether you've got wellbeing tools in your kete to share, or you're looking for new ways to give yourself a boost – we hope you'll join us to reflect on what we've learnt from the hardships of 2020 so far, and to think about how we can Reimagine Wellbeing Together as we move forward.

Mental Health Awareness Week is 21-27 September. If you aren't yet registered, click here to receive announcements on free posters, resources, competitions and more to help you reimagine wellbeing and get involved in the week!

Ngā mihi nui, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Rangimarie's anxiety story

"Someone once told me, heal your spirit first, your mind will follow, and then so too your body."

Rangimarie Mita has struggled with anxiety over the years. In this powerful video he shares his experiences, and speaks about the tools he uses to stay mentally well.

Like many of us, getting out in nature is his 'go to'. What's yours?

A big thanks to our friends at Melon for sharing Rangimarie's story. If you're looking for tools and resources to help rangatahi manage difficult emotions, check out the Melon website.

The mahi that matters to mental health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIBeII6Qu0g

"The mahi that matters to mental health goes beyond just beds and into transformational change that touches every aspect of our lives. A well-resourced implementation plan will ensure we have better services and that the factors that can cause or contribute to poor mental health – including (but not limited to) poverty, trauma and abuse, racism, and the impacts of criminal justice, housing and employment – can be addressed in a meaningful way."

Managing triggered thoughts and emotions

Most of us have been through tough times recently, and it's important to remember that we all have our own ways of getting through. 

If you know someone that's having or had a tough time, make sure you listen to them and really validate their feelings. You might not understand what they're going through, but you can be there for them in a non-judgmental way.

There's no need to 'fix' our manawa pā or be happy all the time, and implying that they have to only adds more pressure to what's already a tough time. As long as your loved one's practices are safe and won't cause them harm, try your best to understand them and support them through.

Want to know more? Read our resource to find some tips from people who've lived and are successfully managing their way through mental distress. 

[I need..]

Rugby stars on the importance of connection for wellbeing

As sporting communities continue to reunite post noho rāhui / lockdown, NZ Rugby and its mental health programme, Headfirst, have created a campaign to demonstrate the importance of developing personal connections for our mental fitness and wellbeing.

To launch the Super Rugby Wellbeing Round kicking off this Saturday, a cast of star players are joining Sir Michael Jones to demonstrate that something as simple as a handshake can support our wellbeing.

"It is a bit fun amongst players to share their personalised handshakes, but the message of personal connections that it portrays is really powerful and relevant at this time."

Check out the below video to hear from Sir Michael Jones on why connection is more important now than ever

It's okay to reach out if you need to

If you've noticed you're really not feeling yourself, there is help available. You can free call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day. You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543354, the Anxiety Helpline on 0800 269 4389, or text HELP to 4357.

For further tips on how to stay mentally well at the moment, head to this page on our website.