Mental health
Extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle are very distressing and can have a significant impact on our mental wellbeing. It’s normal to feel stressed or anxious during times of extreme difficulty. Some people may find this time much harder than others. If you can, reach out to loved ones, neighbours and colleagues to see how they’re doing.
Below, you will find resources for looking after your mental health and wellbeing following Cyclone Gabrielle and the recent flooding in the upper North Island. A list of local and national mental health providers can be found at the bottom of this page. We also have specific resources for:
For veterinary professionals
| Vitae counselling - All veterinarians in New Zealand can get free, confidential counselling through Vitae. You can make an appointment by calling 0508 664 981 (available 24/7) or by completing the self-referral counselling form. |
| NZVA Wellbeing Hub - Wellbeing resources for NZVA members |
| Veterinary wellbeing - Information about where to get help |
| MAS wellbeing portal, Āki - MAS (Medical Assurance Society) has kindly offered all NZVA members free access to their wellbeing portal, Āki. Find out how to access the portal athe NZVA Wellbeing Hub. |
| NZVA mental health webinars - Recordings of NZVA webinars on mental health and recovery after natural disasters |
| Recognizing the Signs of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue - Resources and advice from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association |
| Stress first aid for self-care and peer support: effectively meeting stress in the moment Webinar by Dr Sonja Olson |
| Financial concerns around providing veterinary care: understanding moral injury and distress Webinar by Dr Sonja Olson |
| Trauma informed care: a key to sustaining compassion and offering high quality care in veterinary practice Webinar by Dr Sonja Olson |
Trauma and emergency response
| Coping with Natural Disasters - Flooding - Tip sheet from Vitae |
| Coping Methods after Traumatic Events - Tip sheet from Converge International |
| Anxiety Management Strategies - Tip sheet from Converge International |
| Tips for coping after a natural disaster - Free resources and tips from All Sorts |
| Look after your mental wellbeing - Information and resources from Get Ready |
| Managing stress in an emergency - Fact sheets from the Ministry of Health about managing stress and emotional reactions in a crisis |
| Coping after a traumatic event - Mental health advice from the Ministry of Health |
| Webinar series: Psychological recovery after natural disasters - Recordings of a two-part webinar series with Clinical Psychologist Rajna Bogdanovic |
Rural mental health
| Rural mental health - Information and resources from Federated Farmers of New Zealand |
| Farmstrong - Nationwide wellbeing programme for the rural community |
| Cyclone Gabrielle Rural Wellbeing Recovery – Events and Services - Helplines, online resources and upcoming wellbeing events compiled by MPI |
Supporting colleagues and clients
| Supporting your employees after floods - Tip sheet from Vitae |
| Providing Support to Crisis Affected People - Tip sheet from Converge International |
| Leading in disaster recovery - Comprehensive booklet from New Zealand Red Cross |
| One-on-One Mental Health and Wellbeing Support - Mental health wellbeing support packages for businesses impacted by recent weather events |
Mental health providers
| Provider | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|
| 1737 | Call or text 1737 | www.1737.org.nz |
| Healthline | 0800 611 116 | www.healthline.com |
| Lifeline | 0800 543 354 | www.lifeline.org.nz |
| The Lowdown | Text 5626 | www.thelowdown.co.nz |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline | 0508 828 865 | www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline |
| Youth services | 06 3555 906 | www.youthservice.govt.nz |
| Youthline | 0800 376 633 or text 234 | www.youthline.co.nz talk@youthline.co.nz |
| What's Up | 0800 942 8787 (11am-11pm) | www.whatsup.co.nz |
| Depression Helpline | 0800 111 757 | www.depression.org.nz |
| Rainbow Youth | 09 376 4155 | www.ry.org.nz |
| Alcohol Drug Helpline | 0800 787 797 | www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz |
| Rural Support | 0800 787 254 | www.rural-support.org.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ngati Porou Hauora | Tairawhiti | 06 986 1696 | www.nph.org.nz |
| Te Waharoa | Tairawhiti | 06 868 3550 |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Te Uri o Hau - Tangata Developments | Te Taitokerau | 0800 438 894 | twhatarau@uriohau.co.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ngati manawa Runanga | Waiariki | 027 227 2582 | maramena.vercoe@tronm.co.nz |
| Ngati Whare Runanga | Waiariki | 021 207 7340 | mere@ngatiwhare.iwi.nz |
| Te Ika Whnenua Hauora | Waiariki | 021 712 905 | |
| Ngati awa social services | Whakatane | 07 306 0096 | enquiries@nash.org.nz |
| Manaaki Ora Trust - Tipu Ora | Rotorua | 027 348 4004 | referralhub@@manaakiora.org.nz |
| Maketu Health & Social Services | Maketu | 07 533 2551 | admin@maketuhauora.org.nz |
| Te Waiariki Purea Trust | Rotorua | 07 348 5051 | kiti@twptnz.org |
| Te Tomika Trust | Tauranga | 07 578 9733 | admin@tetomika.co.nz |
| Huria trust | Tauranga | 07 578 7838 | sylvia.w@huriatrust.co.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tūwharetoa Health Charitable Trust | Waikato | 07 384 2882 | tgireception@thct.co.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahungunu Executive | Wairoa | 0800 621 700 | www.kahu-exec.co.nz/contact |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Te Kete Hauora O Rangitane | Dannevirke | 06 374 6860 | info@rangitane.co.nz |
| Tararua REAP | Dannevirke | 06 374 6565 | office@tararuareap.co.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whaiora | Masterton | 06 370 0818 | www.whaiora.org.nz |
| Te Hauora Runanga O Wairarapa | Masterton | 06 378 0140 | www.tehauora.org.nz |
| Provider | Region | Phone number | Website/email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaaki Harataunga | Hauraki | 021 348 338 | tommy@tematapihi.org.nz |
| Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki | Hauraki | 027 762 1844 | denisemessiter@hauraki.refuge.co.nz |
| Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki | Hauraki | 0508 835 676 | tammy.dehar@korowai.co.nz |
