Communities struggling to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown are the subject of a new study by the Salvation Army. The study reports three major areas of concern seriously impacting New Zealand communities, a lack of mental health support, insecure housing and inadequate incomes. These areas of concern are forcing people to look Read more
A woman who yelled at and punched a reader during Mass this week will not be prosecuted. A video of Sunday’s live-streamed Mass shows two readers leaving the sanctuary after completing the readings when the mentally ill woman punched one of them twice in the face. The attack was seemingly unprovoked. The victim says the Read more
As churches reopen and parishioners begin returning to their church buildings there’s a familiarity, but the environment might feel different because of new social-distancing measures. For example, in Houston, a young adult woman who went to Sunday Mass the first weekend in May when her parish reopened for public Mass, said her initial excitement changed Read more
The Mental Health Foundation has noticed increased concern about how to manage mental wellbeing since the pandemic. More people seeking advice on how to cope with stress and anxiety. The Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson said there had been a rise in panic and worry. “Concern and anxiety are mounting for a number Read more
New Zealand comedian, television personality and mental health advocate Mike King has been named as the Kiwibank 2019 New Zealander of the Year. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern awarded him the honour at the 10th annual edition of the awards. Read more
A report which the humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/ Doctors without Borders) released this week says the island nation of Nauru is facing a mental health crisis. The Indefinite Despair report includes medical data MSF gathered during the past year while it was contracted by the Nauruan government to deliver mental health services. These Read more
Māngere Refugee Centre’s mental health support service is under pressure as it faces an increase in demand and an expected influx in coming years. While news of the refugee quota increase from 1000 to 1500 in 2020 and the offer to resettle 150 refugees per year from Australian offshore detention has been welcomed by advocates, Read more
A group of Year 12 students from Lower Hutt’s St Bernard’s College are spreading only good vibes with their Posi Vibes business. Set up at the start of the school year, five students decided to sell wristbands to raise money and awareness for the Mental Health Foundation. John Balao, 17, Andrew Hislop, 16, Sam McCloy, Read more
An Auckland church providing housing for the homeless for more than a decade has had an influx of people dealing with poor mental health. Faith Family Baptist Church in Panmure offers a 13-week programme to rehouse people in need. Numeracy and literacy classes and assistance with addiction and health were also included. Church kaumātua Tom Read more
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has confirmed it has ceased mental health work with refugees on Nauru after the island’s Government told the organisation it was no longer required. MSF said it was informed on Friday 5 October by the Government of Nauru that it was no longer required and terminated its provision of mental health Read more