After-hours Mental Health Support Space Opens Arms, Ears, And Doors In Heart Of Kaitāia

A safe space in the heart of Kaitāia has opened its
doors wide this week to welcome whānau requiring mental
health support after traditional clinic hours.

The
Rākau Ora drop-in pilot inaugurated its establishment in
Kaitāia this Monday [Editors: March 25 2024] with a
blessing and a goal to support whānau facing mental health
difficulties, and redirect the emphasis from urgent, acute
services in Te Hiku to address the growing community demands
more effectively.

The hub is a part of the wider
Taikorihi Locality initiative – one of several population
health prototypes nationwide set up under the Pae Ora
(Healthy Futures) Act 2022 to influence and inform the
future investment of public health in New Zealand.

The
Taikorihi Locality area encompasses the area bordering north
Hokianga, Doubtless Bay and Cape Reinga, and Rākau Ora
Managing Director Vanessa Kite says all Te Hiku whānau are
welcome to the free, drop-in hub which will operate Monday
to Friday from 5pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 12pm to 6pm for
adults aged 18 and over.

As well as the after-hours
drop-in hub, space will be open each Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday from 10am to 4pm for rangatahi aged 12 to 17 years
old.

“When services close at 5pm, our office space
offers a non-judgemental environment where individuals can
take a break from their struggles, steering away from
negative influences like trap houses, pubs or crime and
violence. Drawing from previous experiences in similar
spaces in Australia, we have subtly adjusted the principles
to Te Ao Māori and better meet the needs of the Te Hiku
community,” Vanessa says.

The hub is comprised of a
series of intimate spaces that allow for adults and
taitamariki to spend some down time with a clinician or one
of several volunteer kaimahi working with Rākau Ora.
Whānau who drop in during the evening can expect a
sympathetic ear or two, a cuppa and snack, and like-minded
company. Puzzles, games, and colouring are also available,
and if needed a referral to local services as they
de-escalate at their pace and work through their immediate
mental health needs with expert guidance.

Vanessa says
that volunteer staff have rich, lived experience; they are
also currently engaged in Level 3 and 4 Mental Health and
Addiction Support training with the Open Polytechnic of New
Zealand, so the initiative is also helping to build capacity
in Te Hiku in mental health support services from the
grassroots up.

Vanessa says one benefit of an
after-hours hub is that it can act as a conduit between
whānau and other organisations to ensure that they receive
ongoing help following short-term crises.

“The idea
behind the after-hours and rangatahi space is simple but
addresses a diverse range of needs. While providing
immediate resources unique to their needs, our commitment
extends to follow-up to ensure our whānau do not ‘fall in
the gaps.’ While not assuming direct case management
responsibilities, we are ensuring a seamless experience,”
she says.

Kaitāia Hospital Operational Manager Neta
Smith says the need for an after-hours mental support
services in Te Hiku is “huge.”

She says there are
currently 40 Te Whatu Ora staff working across the mental
health and support services for adults, rangatahi, Māmā
and their pēpi in the traditional hours of Monday to
Friday, 8am to 5pm. Demand for support at times outside of
traditional clinic hours has resulted in the hospital
responding to whānau needs with innovative
solutions.

For example, Neta says the hospital can see
up to 150 ‘watchers’ in any given year, or people who
require immediate, 24/7 medical assistance and surveillance.
In response, the hospital has created an overnight safe
space that caters for people of all ages and their whānau
who are needing to come off substance abuse, de-escalate and
be safe from harming themselves and others.

“We’ve
got an overnight room that we’ve just put into the ward,
where we can admit people ‘on watch.’ They will be
admitted to the ward where we have 20 funded beds, so there
is always a bed available,” Neta says.

She adds
there is also a six-bed subacute unit available that
accommodates unwell whānau aged 18 years and over who are
either in the community or transferring back from
Whangārei.

She adds the after-hours space now offered
by Rākau Ora will be a welcome addition to mental support
services across Te Hiku.

Taikorihi Programme Manager
JJ Ripikoi says that oranga hinengaro is a significant
kaupapa for whānau living in Te Hiku and the Taikorihi
prototype is an opportunity for ensuring that whānau have a
range of different supports available.

He adds says
that data and insights gathered from the pilot and 12 other
initiatives rolling out across Te Hiku will be collated and
included in future recommendations to be made to Te Whatu
Ora, Te Aka Whai Ora, and other Crown agencies.

“We
understand the pressures that come with oranga hinengaro on
both the person and their whānau. We will continue our mahi
to direct additional funding and resources into Te Hiku to
support kaupapa similar to the Rākau Ora after-hours
drop-in,” he says.

Rākau Ora is located in the
arcade at Hofsted Arcade, 1/90 Commerce Street, Kaitāia.
For more information, visit www.rakauora.org.

For
more information on Taikorihi and the Pae Ora health reforms
taking place in Te Hiku, visit www.taikorihi.co.nz.

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