There is much in the media currently about there being a ‘mental health crisis’ in New Zealand.
This topic covers a wide range of symptoms including heightened levels of anxiety/stress and depression.
It is normal to feel anxious or depressed during certain periods of your life.
To help you cope, it can be helpful to:
· find time to do activities you enjoy – for example, going for nature walks, playing sports
· stay connected with the people you care about
· talk to someone about how they are feeling, or write it down in a journal
· stick to routines if possible – for example, try to get up, go to bed, exercise, eat meals etc at your usual times
· avoid overindulging in alcohol, unhealthy food and recreational drugs
· try to limit your exposure to news and other information about the issues worrying you, perhaps sticking to small amounts of information from credible sources.
You can call or text 1737 at any time to talk with a trained counsellor for free.
The 1737 Need to Talk service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are already getting mental health treatment, try to continue with the treatment.
Tips for lifting your mental health in tough times, are on these websites: · Small Steps NZ · Health Navigator · HealthEd · the Depression website has information aimed at Pasifika and Māori · Be Great · a self-help app called Aunty Dee, aimed at young Māori and Pasifika.
You can also contact the CAB for help in finding a local service near you and/or their free counsellor service.
Further support available within the community:
National Anxiety 24 hr helpline 0800 269 4389
Lifeline 24/7 0800 543 354
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Chinese Speakers Lifeline 0800 888 880 (for Mandarin/ Cantonese speakers)
Shakti Crisis Line 0800742 584 (for migrant & refugee women)
Women’s Refuge Crisis Line 0800 733 843
Youthline 0800 376 633 or text 234
Te Rawhiti 09 538 0700
- This Solutions Column has been compiled by Jill and is a regular Times editorial from the Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau. Email enquiries.pakuranga@cab.org.nz or Visit us at the Library Building, Pakuranga, Phone 576 8331 and at Botany Citizens Advice Bureau, rear Food Court Entrance, Botany Town Centre, Phone 271 5382 or 0800 367 222 for free, confidential and informative help.
