Free mental health and addiction literacy workshops head to Chatham Islands

Blueprint for Learning is bringing its signature mental health and addiction literacy workshops, MH101® and Addiction 101, to the Chatham Islands this August. It is the first time the workshops will be delivered there.

The rate of people experiencing mental health or addiction challenges in any given year is much higher than most New Zealanders realise. One in five adults will experience mental health or addiction challenges in any given year. It’s more common than people think.

Therefore it is vital that people have the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise when someone is experiencing mental health or addiction challenges, understand what this might feel and be able to respond in a supportive manner.

This is particularly important in small, isolated communities, like on the Chatham Islands.

The support people receive when they are experiencing mental health or addiction challenges makes a huge difference to their recovery. That’s where Blueprint for Learning’s workshops come in.

Blueprint for Learning worked with Kyla Jasperse, Associate Director of Allied Health / Regional Clinical Advisor Rural Health – Te Waiponamu at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, to bring the workshops to the Chatham Islands community.

“As with all rural communities currently the Chatham Islands are being impacted by challenges in the agricultural sectors across the nation, this is felt even more keenly in the Chatham Islands where isolation, cost of living and restricted access to services is experienced like nowhere else in New Zealand,” said Kyla.

“The Chatham Islands people are a community of do’ers and forward thinkers eager to learn and develop skills that will give this unique community the ability support their own people in their own environment alongside formal services, to have partnership in the wellbeing of their community and to have agency in this partnership.”

“We are thrilled to bring our one-day workshops to the Chatham Islands,” said Patrice Dennis, Blueprint for Learning Programme Manager. “We believe that every New Zealander should be able to recognise the signs of someone experiencing mental distress or addiction issues and feel confident to have a conversation with them about their concerns. We know early intervention like this can positively impact people’s lives and recovery.”

Both MH101® and Addiction 101 are free to attend, with lunch provided, thanks to funding from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora. The workshops will be delivered over consecutive days, with MH101® on Wednesday 21 August and Addiction 101 on Thursday 22 August. Registration is essential.

Workshop details

Location: Norman Kirk Memorial Reserve, 186 Waitangi Wharf, Owenga Road

Facilitators: Emma Hunter, Rhys McDonald

MH101® workshop: Wednesday 21 August, 9am to 4:30pm

Addiction 101 workshop: Thursday 22 August, 9am to 4:30pm

Find out more and register for the Chatham Islands workshops