MH101 > Helpful links

Helpful links

This page includes a list of other websites and resources that you may find useful.

Maintaining health and wellbeing

Mental Health Foundation
Making mental health everybody's business. Provides information and resources for individuals, whanau, organisations and communities.

Health Navigator
Self-help information for those suffering, caring or supporting a long term condition. Content is checked regularly by medical practitioners.

Supporting Families
Supporting Families in Mental Illness provide information, education, advocacy and support for the the family/whanau of people who are experiencing major mental illness.

Web Health
An up-to-date online directory designed to help people access health and social sector services in the community.

Well @ Work
This website provides tools and information to assist employers in developing and implementing wellness programmes in the workplace to foster healthy lifestyles.

Push Play NZ
Tools, information and ideas here to help you Push Play, every day. Get inspired and get going - find a club, event or try something new!

Families Commission
Health information for New Zealand families. New ideas, practical options and advice.

Mindfood magazine
An integrated magazine with a wide range of intelligent, inspirational ideas and information.

SPARC NZ
Dedicated to getting New Zealanders moving - at every level from local community activities to supporting elite athletes.

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Online self-help tools

Living life to the full
A powerful online life skills resource.

Mood Gym
A free self-help programme to teach cognitive behaviour therapy skills to people vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

The Lowdown
A New Zealand website designed to help youth get facts and treatment information about depression. Has personal stories and the opportunity to contact a trained counsellor.

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For further information about mental health and mental illness

Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who share their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Balance
Making a difference in the lives of those affected by mood disorders.

Care NZ
Drug abuse and alcoholism counselling, treatment and education for individuals, families and the workforce.

Autism New Zealand
Autism New Zealand provides support, training, advocacy, resouces and information on Autism Spectrum disorders.

Headspace
A support service for young people with experience of mental illness, their families and schools.

Like Minds, Like Mine
A nationwide programme aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Narcotics Anonymous New Zealand
An organisation of recovering addicts helping each other stay clean and recover from the effects of addiction.

National Depression Initiative
Helping New Zealanders recognise and understand depression.

Problem Gambling
The national freephone support service for people with gambling problems in Aotearoa New Zealand.

SPINZ
Suicide Prevention and Information New Zealand - promoting safe and effective suicide prevention activities.

Supporting Families
Supporting Families in Mental Illness provides information, education, advocacy and support for the family/whanau of people experiencing a major mental illess.

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For further support for yourself or someone else who may be experiencing mental distress

Alcohol Drug Helpline
Improving people's health and wellbeing by reducing the harm of alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

Depression Helpline
Helping New Zealanders recognise and understand depression.

Lifeline
A free 24-hour phone service offering advice on support options available in New Zealand.

Mental Health Services - White Pages
Your local mental health services are located in the front section of your local phone book. This includes crisis services.

The Samaritans
A 24-hour service for people who want confidential listening and support.

Youthline
A service for young people to access a wide range of youth development and support options.

Web Health
An online uo-to-date directory designed to help people connect to health and social service agencies in the community.

Pathways
Pathways is a leading community-based provider of mental health and wellness support services.  

Workwise Employment Agency
Workwise supports people with experience of mental illness and traumatic brain injury to choose, get and keep a job that is right for them.

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Government agencies

Work and Income
Work and Income provides financial assistance and employment services throughout New Zealand.

Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health aims to ensure the health and disability support system works for all New Zealanders. The Ministry of Health contracted Blueprint to develop MH101.

Ministry of Social Development
The Ministry of Social Development provides social polcy advice to the government in order to build successful individuals and communities.

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    It's not unusual...

    Nearly 47% of New Zealanders experience mental illness at some stage in their lives. When ongoing stress leads to an experience of mental illness, the ability of both ourselves and others to recognise the signs and symptoms early ensures the appropriate support can be offered.

    Mental distress can present itself in many different ways, including in physical, spiritual, behavioural or emotional dimensions. The symptoms will be different according to the type of illness, but the most important thing to remember is that mental illness has equal capacity to either enhance or disturb people's lives.

    With the right support from friends, family and colleagues, the amount of disturbance can be minimised. On the other hand, the courage, hope and strength that living with mental illness requires often enhances the ability of people to live well and hold valued roles within their whanau and communities.

    Being able to recognise good mental health and what we can do to maintain it is important to everyone.

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    Stand in their shoes...

    The ability to relate to people experiencing mental distress or mental illness is paramount if you are going to respond appropriately. Knowing how your reactions can impact on the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of others can make all the difference.

    We all have individual beliefs and throughts about situations we are faced with. Often these are automatic and occur before we've even had time to process them. It's important that we learn how to take the time to stop and think about how these thoughts and feelings may impact on another person. Doing this also gives us time to appreciate what might be going on for the other person.

    Relating to the experience of mental illness often means standing in the shoes of another and empathising with their experience. Acknowledging the person as an individual who, despite a change in behaviours and thoughts, is still the same person is the first step to maintaining a relationship with them.

    To read more about the experiences of those affected by mentall illness check out these stories on Like Minds, Like Mine and The Lowdown.

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    Your response counts

    Be professional. Be polite. Tell the truth.

    When people are experiencing distress, more often than not, it's the simple things that you can do that make a difference. If someone needs help and you're not sure what to do, just ask. Here are some ways of 'being':

    • be genuine
    • be compassionate
    • be respectful
    • be kind
    • be gentle
    • be a friend.

    Sometimes things like making a cup of tea, offering to put on a load of washing, helping a colleague finish a large report or babysitting your brother's kids for the night can make the difference. Other ways of helping could include finding an understanding GP or giving an obviously stressed client help to fill in some forms. Just taking the time to provide some help and support shows someone they're not alone. If you need more help, you can also seek a professional response.

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