Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group is offering five free or low-cost Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Aotearoa courses between January and March 2025, aiming to equip adults across the Southern Lakes region with the skills to support youth facing mental health challenges.
Recent data from the 2022/23 New Zealand Health Survey highlights the growing need for mental health support, revealing that more than half of young New Zealanders aged 15 to 24 experience anxiety or depression. The survey also notes that the number of young people experiencing moderate to high distress has nearly doubled since 2016/17.
In response, Te Hau Toka is providing subsidised two-day courses in collaboration with local community organisations and Te Pou, a licensed workforce provider. The courses are designed to give participants the knowledge and confidence to assist young people aged 11 to 18 who may be struggling with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, non-suicidal self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis.
The training will also teach participants a five-step mental health action plan to help young people in crisis until professional support can be accessed.
Te Hau Toka Chair Adell Cox explains, “During our one-year pilot, we focused on training local professionals who work with youth, including social workers, school staff, and community organisations. With 155 individuals certified, we’ve built a strong foundation and are now the largest group of Youth Mental Health First Aiders in New Zealand.”
Cox adds that the new free or low-cost community-based courses will make this internationally recognised training more accessible to parents and other concerned adults, empowering them to better support young people in need. “Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged,” she says.
The courses will be led by a team of up to 10 accredited local trainers, each of whom is deeply involved in their community and understands local challenges. Their ongoing commitment and expertise are essential to the sustainability and success of the Youth MHFA Aotearoa programme.
Te Hau Toka’s funding concludes in the second quarter of 2025, but the group’s members, including health professionals, local government, rūnaka, and not-for-profit organisations, remain dedicated to advocating for initiatives that foster lasting positive change for youth mental health.
Karyn Munro, Te Hau Toka’s youth specialist and a key figure in bringing the Youth MHFA Aotearoa programme to New Zealand, will continue as lead regional trainer and as a national trainer for Te Pou. “By training more adults across the region and the country, we are strengthening the safety net for our rangatahi, building communities that are more informed, compassionate, and prepared to respond to mental health crises,” says Munro.
These courses represent a critical step toward building a more supportive and resilient community for youth mental health in the Southern Lakes region.
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