Help for youth mental health
Adolescence is the peak age of onset for mental health challenges, with half of all sufferers experiencing their first episode before they're 18 years old.
But both adolescents and young adults are less likely to seek or receive treatment than other age groups.
With that in mind, a dozen Southern Lakes locals have been trained to become the first accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa instructors in New Zealand, along with two others from outside the region.
They will now be able to train other adults to become mental health first aiders, providing support for the youngsters they work with, in places such as schools, sports clubs and youth groups as well as caregivers, parents, and whānau.
Through workshops across Queenstown, Wānaka, Central Otago and Fiordland, the instructors will provide the first aiders with an action plan on how to help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, including how to communicate with them, and how to access professional help.
Common mental health challenges and crisis experienced by young people include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, substance use, and psychosis.
The 14 new instructors, who also all work with youth in a variety of settings, have completed an international programme focused on supporting youth aged 11-18.
It was adapted for NZ use by Te Pou (a national workforce development provider for the mental health, addiction, and disability sectors), with funding has been provided by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group.
Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group Chair Adell Cox says the programme will be vital in upskilling people working with youth.
"Our focus is on prevention and early intervention with an equity lens so it’s vital that we give those working with our rangatahi the best world-leading knowledge, tools and support to do that.”
The Youth Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa instructors are: Karyn Isherwood (Whāraurau), Lee-Ann Mckenzie (Whakatipu Youth Trust), Fiona Humphries (Fiordland College), Kathryn Wright (registered counsellor), Rachel Cassaidy (Cromwell College), Karyn Munro (Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group), Annette Beautrais (Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury), Victoria Stewart (Mt Aspiring College), Barry Grehan (Sticks ‘n Stones), Amy Kahukura (Cromwell Youth Trust), Melissa Mitchell-Bain (Ministry of Education), Vicky Fenton (Central Lakes Family Services), Julie Williamson (Dunstan High School) and Vicki Patton (Wakatipu High School).
Te Pou Chief Executive Rae Lamb says it’s fantastic to see over six months of development work come to life.
“There’s a lot that goes into the programme adaptation including integrating cultural considerations, lived experience, use of language, relevant data and research, and clinical treatment pathways to ensure it is relevant for Aotearoa. This is what makes it such a worthwhile programme.
“Research shows that the Youth Mental Health First Aid course provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to assist a young person who is experiencing a mental health challenge.
"The value and relevance of the programme is well recognised internationally so we’re thrilled that, with Te Hau Toka’s help, it is now available in Aotearoa.”
The next cohort of instructors will be trained in the North Island later this year.
Once Youth Mental Health First Aid has been implemented and embedded across the country, Te Pou will look to develop the Teen Mental Health First Aid programme for use in communities in Aotearoa.
The need for more evidence-based specialised training to support young people was the catalyst for bringing the Youth Mental Health First Aid programme to Aotearoa. Te Hau Toka’s youth specialists identified the value and relevance of the programme and partnered with Te Pou in September 2022 to help implement it.
