Agencies take next step to support wellbeing

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Community collaboration has led to an online resource to help people tackle mental health issues.

Social Services Waimakariri, Together Hurunui and the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils have joined forces to create the nextsteps.org.nz website, which brings together information about North Canterbury’s social services.

Waimakariri District Council community development facilitator Rachel Thornton said the new online resource came out of the Covid-19
experience.

The website built on the Ministry for Social Development funded community connector service, known locally as the next steps facilitator service, she said.

‘‘After Covid there were a number of vulnerable people and the challenge we had was how do we get information out to them.’’

The website allowed people to help themselves to take the next steps to improve their mental wellbeing.

‘‘Those of us who work in the social service sector, we know who the counsellors are, but the general public doesn’t necessarily know, so how do we make it easy for them?’’

Social Services Waimakariri facilitator Nicki Carter said the website showcased all of the social service and community organisations serving the North Canterbury area.

It was designed to avoid duplication and to use resources more efficiently.

‘‘In the Waimakariri we are national leaders in this space, so it is definitely a concept which might get picked up elsewhere in the country.’’

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the new website was a great resource for the community.

‘‘While the initial shock of Covid-19 is gone we know this will not be the last event our country faces and it is important we learn from previous events.

"Having all this information in one place, with support specific to North Canterbury, is a fantastic resource and I applaud all our communities’ providers for working together to make this happen.

‘‘The information is non-threatening, accessible and provided in an empowering way that will connect with a lot of our residents when they need support.’’

The website posed questions to direct people to the help they needed and was entirely online and anonymous, Thornton said.

It begins by asking if you are in immediate danger (call 111) or just need to talk (call / text 1737).

The website has sections including physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, economic and business, and family and social.