Mental health and disasters

Disasters and emergencies are 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 friends, whānau, neighbours and colleagues to see how they’re doing.

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.
Vet Support
- NZVA's dedicated site with mental health and wellbeing resources for veterinary teams.
MAS wellbeing portal, Āki
- MAS (Medical Assurance Society) has kindly offered all NZVA members free access to their wellbeing portal, Āki.
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

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

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 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