Whānau and communities have helped shape a proposed way forward for mental health and addictions support in Te Tairāwhiti. The proposal is the result of a review of local mental health and addiction services ‘Kia Tōtika Te Tū’. The review looked for a more effective way to support whānau needing help in our communities.
Kia Tōtika Te Tū involved extensive engagement with a broad range of community stakeholders, including whānau with lived experience of mental illness and addiction. The aim was to help find a better way to respond to people, reduce complexity in the system and to provide clear guidance on how to plan and resource services, says Hauora Tairāwhiti Planning and Funding Manager Nicola Ehau.
“The contributions made to Kia Tōtika Te Tū, have been brought together to develop Whāriki: A Way Forward - He Huarahi ki Mua. Whāriki proposes a new way of working together with whānau needing mental health and addiction support. It is a framework that places whānau wellbeing at the very centre of all our activities so that everyone, no matter where or who they are, can confidently get help when and where they need it.”
“Whāriki represents a shift in the way services are determined.”
Before adopting Whāriki, we want to ensure we are on the right track, says Ms Ehau. “Is this proposal relevant to the providers of mental health and addiction services; and most importantly, to whānau and communities seeking help?”
A formal consultation process opens on Wednesday 24 March and runs until Sunday 18 April. Whāriki, the consultation document and related material, is available on the Hauora Tairāwhiti website for feedback. There will also be an opportunity to attend one of five hui being held throughout the district.
Hauora Tairāwhiti Board Chair Kim Ngarimu and Hauora Tairāwhiti Chief Executive Jim Green personally acknowledge all those who have helped with this work.
“Our thanks to all the hardworking and dedicated people who provide clinical, community, non-government and Kaupapa Māori services. Most importantly, we want to thank whānau who have shared, with courage and honesty, their experiences of mental health and addictions so that we can better respond to your needs and those who may need support in the future.”
“We have heard of services and support that are working very well, and those where we need to improve. We have also been told what whānau need to feel confident when engaging with services”
Some of this feedback has been read verbatim in a series of videos on social media that will be circulated during the consultation.
“These contributions have helped shape Whāriki. They give effect to a shared vision of ‘Whānau First’ that ensures whānau wellbeing is the foremost consideration at every level of the service system.”
Before Whāriki is adopted, Hauora Tairāwhiti is inviting whānau and communities to contribute their views. This will help to further refine a new way of working together to respond to whānau seeking help with mental health and addiction.
People are invited to share their thoughts at one of the following public hui. Everyone is welcome.
- Monday 29 March 4.30 – 6.30pm Te Rau College, Temple Street, Gisborne
- Wednesday 31 March 9.30 - 11.30am Te Tini o Porou, Huxley Road, Gisborne
- Thursday 8 April 9.30 – 11.30am Scout Hall, 55 Station Road Te Karaka
- Thursday 8 April 4.30 – 6.30pm Scout Hall, 55 Station Road Te Karaka
- Tuesday 13 April 4.30 – 6.30pm RSA, 4 Tuparoa Road, Ruatorea
Alternatively pick up a copy of the consultation booklet from Tangata Rite, 110 Peel Street, Gisborne, download it from here or email awayforward@tdh.org.nz