Free counselling and wellbeing support services are available for children and young people in Tāmaki Makaurau impacted by the severe weather events in early 2023.
For tamariki and rangatahi, emergencies can undermine their basic assumptions about the world being a safe, stable, and largely predictable place. For example, they may be dealing with loss of their homes, pets, favourite toys, possessions or their sense of security. If they are in temporary accommodation, they might feel isolated from their usual community and routines.
Much like adults, most children and young people will experience some form of distress from a disaster. This is usually short-lived, but for some people these experiences become more significant.
“In the context of ongoing uncertainty and stress from the impacts of the weather events, it is important that young people and their whānau know where to go for trusted advice and access to appropriate services when they need it,” says Linda Greenalgh, Group Community and Social Recovery Lead for the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office.
Helplines such as Youthline (0800 376 633) and 0800 What’s Up (0800 942 8787) are a good starting point for young people to talk about what they are feeling. They will also offer advice to family members or anyone who is supporting a young person.
Youthline
Youthline supports 12 to 24-year-olds by phone and web chat. It also offers free 1:1 counselling and mentoring, either online or in person.
0800 What’s Up
0800 What’s Up provides phone and online support to 5 to 19-year-olds, as well as free face to face counselling sessions which can include whānau members. For more information these sessions which can be hosted across Auckland, contact Karen at What's Up karen.barnett@barnardos.org.nz or 027 217 7579.
Sparklers at home
For younger children, Sparklers at home provides whānau-friendly wellbeing activities, and a range of easy ideas for helping tamariki be calm, manage worries, be grateful and kind, and feel good.
