Te Pou

It is important we recognise and acknowledge the impact of trauma when we are creating safe environments for people accessing services. We have recently published a literature review that outlines the essential elements of a trauma-informed approach in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. In the review we also identify key factors for successful implementation of a trauma-informed approach, including collaboration, meaningful engagement, strategic planning, ongoing training, shared evaluation, and adaptation. Access the literature review here: https://lnkd.in/gjubp_b4

Last month, Malcolm Mckenna and Caro Swanson were in the stunning north with their consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) competencies workshop roadshow. In Kaikohe, we joined an enthusiastic and skilled group of CPSLE workers for a day of sharing insightful and profound kōrero on what our values look like in our work, using the competencies in practice and what we love about our roles. It was a really inspiring day with so much wisdom shared and plenty of laughs as well. Thanks Kaikohe, we appreciate your generosity and openness. And thanks to Arataki Ministries Ltd for hosting us. The next leg of the CPSLE roadshow takes the team to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for two workshops. The focus of these events is to connect with the CPSLE workforce and share the potential of how you can incorporate CSPLE values and competencies into your daily mahi. The roadshow will be in Counties Manukau on Tuesday 19 November and West Harbour on Friday 22 November. You can register for it here https://lnkd.in/g_GjZBhN More dates and locations across the motu will be announced later.

We were pleased to attend the Occupational Therapy Clinical Workshops 2024 in Kirikiriroa Hamilton last week. Along with a busy stand, Caro Swanson and Trish Gledhill delivered a well-received workshop on opportunities to bring trauma-informed approaches across OT practice. Over the two-day event, our team enjoyed engaging in conversations with OTs from across the motu about their areas of interest for professional development and the challenges they’re experiencing. There was a lot of interest in the range of free resources, e-learnings and training available to them from Te Pou and Blueprint for Learning.

Our October e-bulletin is now live. This month, we are shining a spotlight on Minister Dooceys' announcement of investment in a child and youth mental health and addiction prevalence study - the first for Aotearoa New Zealand. Our strategic lead Dr Helen Lockett discusses the collaborative approach to changing the narrative around epidemiological studies and the importance of continuing this collaboration in the future.    We also share a new webpage with 10 years-worth of reports detailing the workforce delivering alcohol and drug, forensic, and mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand.    Click the link below to access the full e-bulletin for the full story, along with additional news, events, and research updates.   https://lnkd.in/gy72a36H

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora have today published "Whakaohooho manawa ora: Cognitive screening and support in alcohol and other drug services Aotearoa New Zealand practice guidelines". These are the first New Zealand guidelines for identifying and supporting people’s cognitive impairment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) settings. This is an important document, for several reasons. Cognitive impairment may impact up to 80% of people accessing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, but it frequently goes unrecognised. Recognising a person’s cognitive impairment and understanding their strengths is important for tailoring support and working in partnership to improve treatment outcomes for people accessing AOD services. Guidance is needed to ensure that identifying cognitive impairment is done in a way that avoids unnecessary harm and trauma and upholds people’s mana.   In 2022, Health NZ commissioned Te Pou to develop guidelines to help workers in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services to identify and support people experiencing cognitive impairment, and their whānau. Te Pou developed the guidelines in partnership with an external technical advisory group, and with wider sector input.   The guidelines are primarily for workers in AOD services who have not had specialised training in cognitive screening and assessment. However, these guidelines may also be useful for the entire mental health and addiction workforce, workers in the community and primary care. You can access the guidelines from the Health NZ website: https://lnkd.in/g_8ZYu5q

We have 3 training and development grants that are closing for applications soon. These grants are designed to help with the cost of employees taking part in specific training or education to develop professional knowledge and skills that enhance their roles. ➡ Disability training grant: This grant is available to help with the cost of employees taking part in specific NZQA training. The grant can only be used for approved qualifications set in partnership with Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. This grant round closes at midday on Thursday 24 October 2024. For more information and to apply, click here https://lnkd.in/d6q5-in7 ➡ Support worker professional development grant: This is a professional development grant specifically for people providing mental health and addiction support who are employed as support workers in a publicly funded non-government organisation (NGO). The grant will help cover the costs of taking part in a learning activity for existing support workers to develop professional knowledge and skills that enhance their support worker role or career. This will aim to increase knowledge and skills to better provide services for Māori and Pacific peoples and align with the values, attitudes and Real Skills of Let’s get real. This grant closes at midday on Friday 1 November 2024. For more information and to apply, click here https://lnkd.in/gCsd5TwX ➡ CPSLE training and development grant: This is a training and professional development grant specifically for consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) workers in mental health and addiction. The grant will help cover the costs to take part in a learning activity (course or training programme) for existing CPSLE workers to develop professional knowledge and skills that enhance their CPSLE role or career. This should include reference to either or both of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi or the CPSLE competencies. This grant closes at midday on Friday 1 November 2024. For more information and to apply, click here https://lnkd.in/gEFyHPeY

A great message here from our friends at Le Va Pasifika

As we look ahead to the Bill, there is need to ensure that whānau voices remain central when supporting people experiencing the Mental Health Act. This insight from our evaluation from people who completed the e-learning modules highlights the vital shift towards a whānau inclusive approach. You can find the e-learning modules here: https://lnkd.in/g26J5sDi 

Don’t miss your opportunity to apply now for the CPSLE training and professional grant – applications close soon! Applications are currently open for the consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) training and professional development grant, and close midday Friday 1 November. The grant will cover costs of taking part in a learning activity (course or training programme), to develop professional knowledge and skills that enhance applicants’ CPSLE role or career.  We encourage you to start your application now, if you haven’t already, to allow you time to provide the required evidence and supporting documents before the closing date. Click on the link below to Learn more and apply for the CPSLE training and professional development grant https://lnkd.in/gEFyHPeY

The new Bill will modernise how compulsory mental health care is provided in New Zealand to support a more rights-based and recovery approach. The Te Pou Mental Health Act e-learning modules support this shift in focus as highlighted during a recent interview with whānau Māori who completed the e-learning modules. You can find the e-learning modules here: https://lnkd.in/g26J5sDi