Central Lakes Trust (CLT) and other local trusts are making a difference to the mental health of teens.

Research shows rangatahi are experiencing or at risk of mental distress more than ever before, and Cromwell Youth Trust (CYT) senior youth worker Fran Dustin said “so many youth need someone to talk to”.

Her organisation is seeing increased anxiety in rangatahi and tamariki.

“At a secondary level they’re not wanting to be social, and might be retreating a lot,” she said.

“There is anxiety about returning to school and some just can’t cope with going back to school after what has been going on.”

CYT has a social worker, counsellor and youth workers doing what they can to support young people in challenging times (such as returning to school after time in isolation, going through friend issues, or other trauma). 

CLT has funded a nationally run '24-7 youth workers' programme (with two new youth workers) for Wānaka’s Mount Aspiring College, and CLT grants manager Mat Begg said the programme is similar to others being delivered in Alexandra (Central Otago REAP’s counsellor in schools, supported with funding from CLT in May) and Cromwell (through Cromwell Youth Trust and funded by Highlands Motor Sport Park).

“Central Lakes Trust is keen to support initiatives like this, as we recognise that our Central Lakes tamariki’s wellbeing is not exempt from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the second such initiative we have supported in as many months,” he said. 

The Ministry of Education has launched a counsellors in schools programme to improve wellbeing for students in the wake of Covid-19, but it does not currently include any schools in the Upper Clutha or Central Otago area, Mat said.

The Central Otago REAP counsellor in schools pilot includes Millers Flat School, Roxburgh Area School, Poolburn School, Omakau School, The Terrace School, Alexandra Primary School, Clyde Primary School and St Gerard’s School.

Cromwell Youth Trust engages with three schools in Cromwell and surrounding areas; Cromwell College, Goldfields Primary School and Cromwell Primary School.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, Youthline has experienced a significant spike in levels of demand and risk across its services.

During last year’s lockdown period (which lasted more than 100 days in Auckland) Youthline’s helpline managed the highest number of critical incidents (117) in a single week in the organisation’s 51-year history.

Youthline’s research shows young people (13-24 years) consider mental health to be the biggest issue facing their generation, and almost half of young Kiwis don’t feel they have positive ways to cope with their problems, up 10 per cent since 2019.

In New Zealand, the latest version of the national Youth2000 survey (2019), found that the rate of secondary students with symptoms of depression rose from 13 per cent to 23 per cent in seven years.

More information about organisations supporting local teens can be found here:

Alexandra Districts & Youth Trust

Cromwell Youth Trust

Uruuruwhenu Hauora

Youthline

Have you got a teen mental health story to share? Contact [email protected]