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Category Archives: Young People And Youth Issues

Youth Mental-Health News from YouthworX

May 25, 2012 4:19 am ⋅

Youth Mental Health Package Unveiled by Prime Minster:   Last week the Prime Minister unveiled a $62 million package of initiatives focusing on youth mental health. The package details how Government will improve services for young people with, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental health problems. The initiatives will be of interest to many people and organisations working in the community sector who deal with the consequences of unmet mental health needs, which can involve families, schools and communities as well as the young people themselves.  The initiatives will include a focus on making primary health care more youth friendly with interim support for Youth One Stop Shops.  The finer details are still in development and the Ministries are consulting with key people in the sector.  The initiative also increases the number of youth workers in low decile schools.

Youth workers will be placed in schools in South Auckland, Porirua and Flaxmere that don’t already have Multi Agency Support Services in Secondary Schools. Youth workers will be employed by Child, Youth and Family preferred providers who will be required to go through a tendering and contracting process.  There will be 9 new youth workers in 2012/13 and 10 more in 2013/14.  Youth workers will be required to have a level 6 qualification.

Full fact sheet information is available here:

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-School_Based_Initiatives.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Health_Sector.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Family_and_Community.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Online_initiatives.pdf

Whanau Ora: A Strengths Based Approach to Youth Mental Health:  The Minister for Whānau Ora, Tariana Turia, has welcomed the recognition that Whānau Ora is intimately linked to the drive to improve youth mental health. “Whānau Ora, at its heart, is about whānau, aiga or families coming together to support each other through building shared aspirations, and working together to achieve those aspirations,” said Mrs Turia.  Read the media release http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wh%C4%81nau-ora-strengths-based-approach-youth-mental-health

Youth Smoking Hits Record Low:   ASH Smoking Survey shows a record drop in youth smoking – especially among Maori girls. The overall rate of youth smoking has dropped one-and-a-half percent to 4.1% (from 5.5% in 2010), the largest drop in almost a decade. Read the full report here:  http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/youth-smoking-hits-record-low

Public Sector Targets:  The Government has announced a set of 10 new targets for the public sector over the next three to five years. These have implications for children, young people, and people working with them.  For more information see http://beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/The_Prime_Minister%27s_results_for_New_Zealanders.pdf

Health of Maori Children and Young People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities:  The report provides an overview of secondary health service utilisation patterns for Māori children and young people with chronic conditions and disabilities. To read the report see http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-maori-children-and-young-people-chronic-conditions-and-disabilities

Families Commission – Teen Pregnancy – New Report:  A recent report on teen pregnancy in New Zealand makes recommendations aimed at providing more support, choice and opportunity for young parents. To download and view the report go http://www.familiescommission.org.nz/research/parenting/teenage-pregnancy-and-parenting

Payment Rate Increases:  From 1 April 2012 there will be a 1.77% increase to: rates and thresholds for main benefits, Student Allowances, Student Loan Living Costs and the Foster Care Allowance, rates and thresholds for some supplementary assistance, thresholds for the Community Services Card.  A 2.65% increase will apply to rates of New Zealand Superannuation.  Read more here http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2012/payment-changes-for-april-2012.html


Posted in: Cultural Considerations, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, News, Parents and Parenting, Physical Health, Politics and Policy, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

UNCRPD Monitoring Survey 2012

May 18, 2012 1:47 am ⋅

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability is a UN convention that aims to enshrine the rights of people with disabilities in law to ensure all people are afforded the human right to participate in their communities.

The New Zealand government has ratified the UN Convention and thus made a commitment to ensure legislation, policy and procedure to protect the rights of people with disabilities – including disability caused by the effects of a mental-health problem.

In 2011 a report to the UN was written by the government to summarise their progress towards this goal. A shadow report was also written by community groups in consultation with their stake-holders. There were some key differences in the perspectives of these two reports.

A monitoring survey has now been established to gather a wider perspective of how people living with disabilities in the community see things.

Follow the link below to fill out an anonymous survey and help the UN monitor what NZ needs to do better for people living with disability.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9FPMX82

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Accommodation / Housing, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Research, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: ,

Tree Planting Expeditions with Kaipatiki Bush Project

May 16, 2012 4:26 am ⋅

WHY SIT HOME AND FREEZE? – GET OUT AND PLANT TREES!

Kaipatiki Project Environment Centre warmly invites the community to come and plant native trees in Eskdale Reserve Network this winter.

Members of local churches, schools, community groups and business are welcome to join forces with local people in these family-friendly events – and there is a free barbecue for all planters.

Bring gumboots, a spade if you have one and lots of enthusiasm!

  • Sat 2 June, 9.30am-12.30pm: Frances Kendall Reserve, Kaipatiki Road (near Kaipatiki bridge), Glenfield
  • Sat 7 July, 9.30am-12.30pm: Domain Road, corner Domain & Glenfield Rds, Glenfield
  • Sat 4 August, 9.30am-12.30pm: Eskdale Reserve (Cemetery end), Glenfield Road, Glenfield
  • Sat 1 September, 9.30am-12.30pm: Eskdale Reserve (near Cemetery), Eskdale Road, Glenfield

Enquiries: ph 482 1172

email: coordinator@kaipatiki.org.nz

Website: www.kaipatiki.org.nz/volunteer

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Entertainment and Creativity, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Physical Health, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Music Video Sheds Light on Bullying

May 14, 2012 11:26 am ⋅

Grace Pageant released her brand new music video to a packed crowd at a Pechakucha event in Auckland on Thursday 11 May.

Directed by Erin Gaffney and Leigh Fitzjames, the stop-motion music video masterfully uses thousands of buttons and individual photographs to bring Pageant’s story of dealing with teenage bullies to life.

Her message to anyone facing it now? Speak out and get support. You will get through it.

Watch the video and listen to the song here: Grace Pageant – Girl with No Bones

Posted in: Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Nationwide Ministry of Health Resources

May 3, 2012 11:27 am ⋅

for your information and reference – Nationwide resources….provided by Ministry of Health across New Zealand

Support and help for individuals

Helplines

  • Lifeline 0800 543 354
  • Lifeline’s Suicide helpline 0508 TAUTOKO
  • Youthline 0800 376 633
  • Kidsline 0800 543 754 (weekdays 4-6 pm)
  • What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (one to 11 pm 7 days, for young people aged 5 to 18)
  •  Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
  • Samaritans 0800 826 666 (lower North Island and Upper South Island) provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support through their telephone helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to people in distress and at risk of dying by suicide.
  • Healthline 0800 611 116

Websites

  • The Lowdown (for young people) www.thelowdown.co.nz or freetext 5626
  • The Depression website www.depression.org.nz  which provides information about depression and an online depression self-management programme ‘The Journal’ presented by John Kirwan, which is backed up by online and phone base personalised support services.
  • Samaritans www.samaritans.org.nz

Services

  • Primary care professional or general practitioner
  • Community mental health service through the local district health boards (contact details in the white pages or at www.moh.govt.nz/districthealthboards

Support for families and friends

General Information Sources

  • Ministry of Health www.moh.govt.nz/suicideprevention – information about suicide and suicide prevention, facts, and Ministry publications
  • Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand www.spinz.org.nz – the national information service to provide high quality information to promote safe and effective suicide prevention activities.
  • The Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.nz provides free information and training, and advocates for policies and services that support people with experience of mental illness, and also their families/whanau and friends.
Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Refugees / Migrants, Suicide Prevention/Support, Support, Trauma, Women, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What is Recovery Discussion on Radio 1 May 2012

April 30, 2012 5:51 am ⋅

On Tuesday 1 May hear how a positive and constructive consumer hui contributed to research into the issue of What Does Recovery Mean to You. Guest Leigh Fitzjames, who’s been commissioned by Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addictions Partnership to explore the recovery issue, gives hints about what she’s discovered and reveals how the thoughts of a large group of consumers at the hui helped her project. Take It From Us on PlanetFM 104.6FM  @ 12.30pm Tuesday 1 May.

Listen live on 104.6FM at 12.30pm or online www.planetaudio.org.nz

OR if you missed the broadcast, listen for the next seven days @: www.planetaudio.org.nz/takeitfromus

Catch up on the last four shows online: www.likeminds.org.nz

And don’t forget their new Facebook page @ Facebook.com and type take it from us in the search box; or email takeitfromus@mail.com for any feedback and comment/suggestions for shows

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, Refugees / Migrants, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Support, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Ask-Share-Give: New Community Website Launched

April 29, 2012 6:46 am ⋅

Five weeks ago a new not-for-profit website was launched where people can share their time, skills, transport or old and unwanted goods with each other.

The idea behind AskShareGive is that people are able to go on the website and create a listing in which they outline what they have to offer.  It could be anything from volunteering an hour a week of dog walking, weeding a garden, helpwith administration, building or anything at all. Just as you can offer your services you can also ask someone for what they are offering or create a listing asking for something you would like or need, be it help in the garden, befriending or budgeting advise to asking for an item that’s needed such as clothes, appliances or toys.

For people recovering from a mental-health problem volunteering time to someone else can be highly validating.  People are only too grateful to receive help with something and sometimes this can lead to friendships, paid employment or just assist someone to feel useful and a part of society. It’s also really nice to be able to get something you need from a giving person out there too.

The website boasts a friendly community coordinator who is the presence behind the site, available to answer questions and to assist in resolving any issues.

Contact Tanya, AskShareGive, Community Coordinator, Phone 0272831929 or email info@asksharegive.org.nz

www.asksharegive.org.nz

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, News, Older People and Aging, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Support, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

2011 Annual Report on Places of Detention in NZ

April 29, 2012 6:23 am ⋅

Monitoring Places of Detention: Annual Report 2011

The latest annual report by the five organisations responsible for monitoring places of detention in New Zealand under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) has been tabled in Parliament and is available on the Human Rights Commission website, at: http://www.hrc.co.nz.   Those organisations, the Ombudsmen, Children’s Commissioner, Independent Police Conduct Authority, Inspector of Service Penal Establishments and the Human Rights Commission are known as National Preventive Mechanisms, and designated under the OPCAT to monitor places where people are deprived of liberty.

Hard copies of the report are also available and can be requested by emailing Infoline@hrc.co.nz.
Further information can also be found at: www.hrc.co.nz.

Civil society meetings

The National Preventive Mechanisms invite members of civil society to meet with them to discuss the monitoring activities, and to seek the views of civil society on key issues regarding the conditions and treatment of people in detention.   Please feel free to forward this invitation to interested people/ networks. Dates and venues are as follows:

 

Wellington

  Wednesday 2 May  12.30pm–2.00pm  Human Rights Commission

Level 1, Vector Building

44-52 The Terrace Wellington

 
Christchurch Wednesday 16 May 12.00pm–1.30pm Kilmore Street Training RoomWestpac Business Hub

55 Jack Hinton Drive

Addington

 
Auckland Tuesday 29 May 11.00am–12.20pm

Human Rights Commission

Level 3, Zurich House

21 Queen Street

Auckland Central

Please RSVP to jessican@hrc.co.nz.

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Call for Govt Recognition of Past Abuse in Psychiatric Institutions

April 26, 2012 10:30 am ⋅

Sign the on-line petition: An Acknowledgment of historic injustice against former patients of NZ psychiatric hospitals

Between July 2005 and April 2007 a Confidential Forum was held for former In-patients of psychiatric hospitals. Over 400 former patients spoke about their experiences. The final report of the Confidential Forum Te Aiotonga (2007, available from the Department of Internal Affairs) outlines the themes that emerged including occurrences of physical violence and sexual misconduct; and de-humanising environments. The report remains formally unacknowledged by the government.

A United Nations report on New Zealand’s compliance with the UN convention against torture in 2009 recommended that the NZ government should take appropriate measures to ensure that allegations of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in the “historic cases” are investigated promptly and impartially, perpetrators duly prosecuted, and the victims accorded redress, including adequate compensation and rehabilitation.”

Phoenix Group, a Wellington group of people who have experienced mental distress are using the publicity surrounding the release of Jim Marbrook’s Mental Notes to call on the government to make a formal apology.

How can you help? 

Print this postcard and send it to parliament – and give a copy to a friend so they can do the same. Postage is free. 

confidential forum protest postcard for print

And share this notice around!

 

Ma te whakatau, ka mohio

When we are shown, we come to know

Ma te mohio, ka marama

When we know, we come to understand

Ma te marama, ka ora ai tatou

When we understand, we all achieve wellness

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Documentary, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Trauma, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Song Challenges Binge Drinking

April 23, 2012 7:07 am ⋅

An amazing musical project has just been launched by a bunch of Top 40 New Zealand musicians around binge drinking and young people.

The band is called All My Brothers and includes Francis of Kora, Marcus Powell of Blacklist and Ben Campbell of Zed (among others).

The track, ‘Find A Way’ also features Sid Diamond (formerly Young Sid of Smashproof) and Adeaze.

The track looks at the effects of alcohol in young people and encourages young people to “find a way to make a change”. It’s a great resource for the community sector, so jump on board. Share it with your young people and friends and vote with your dollar to let our country know that meaningful messages have a place on the radio.

The project is put together by Zeal Voice, who you can check out at zealvoice.co.nz

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Entertainment and Creativity, Families/Whanau, News, Parents and Parenting, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,