Supporting Families in Mental Illness Manawatū

Supporting Families in Mental Illness Manawatū We provide the highest quality support, advocacy, education and services for all people, and the community affected by mental illness and addiction.

💚 World Su***de Prevention Day – 10 September 💚You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to start the conver...
09/09/2026

💚 World Su***de Prevention Day – 10 September 💚

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to start the conversation.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day - an opportunity to remind ourselves that talking about su***de does not cause su***de. Asking someone how they are, listening without judgement, and helping them connect with support can make a real difference.

Sometimes the signs that someone is struggling aren't obvious. They may be withdrawing, feeling hopeless, talking about being a burden, or simply saying that they aren't coping.

If you're worried about someone, try:
🌱 Ask – “Are you thinking about su***de?”
💚 Listen – Give them space to talk without judgement.
🤝 Stay connected – Let them know they don't have to face things alone.
📞 Connect – Help them access professional support when needed.

If you or someone you know needs support in Aotearoa New Zealand:

📞 1737 - Need to Talk?
Free call or text 1737, anytime, 24/7, to talk with a trained counsellor.

📞 Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354 or text HELP (4357)

📞 Su***de Crisis Helpline: 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865)

🚨 If someone is in immediate danger: call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department.

🌐 Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora – Su***de prevention and support:

🌐 Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

If you are supporting a family member or friend who is struggling with their mental health, you don't have to do it alone. We are here to support people who are supporting a loved one experiencing mental illness.

💚 There is hope. There is support. And reaching out can be the first step.

***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention

06/09/2026

Need to Talk? Reach Out Anytime with 1737 💙

Feeling down, anxious, or overwhelmed? You're not alone. 1737 - Need to Talk? is a free and confidential service available 24/7 to support all New Zealanders.

📞 Whether you need someone to chat with or professional advice, just call or text 1737 for immediate help from trained experts.

Get free support easily, whenever you need it. For more information, visit 1737.org.nz.

🌱🌼 Hello Spring! 🌼🌱Longer days, warmer weather and new growth are arriving across the region. Spring is a great reminder...
01/09/2026

🌱🌼 Hello Spring! 🌼🌱

Longer days, warmer weather and new growth are arriving across the region. Spring is a great reminder to check in with our own wellbeing, too. 💚

Here's some simple ways to boost our wellbeing this spring:

🌿 Get outside – enjoy a walk, the garden or one of our beautiful local parks.
🤝 Connect – catch up with friends, whānau or someone you haven’t seen for a while.
🧘 Take notice – slow down and appreciate the little things around you.
💚 Give – a kind word, a helping hand or checking in on someone can make a difference.
🚶 Be active – even a short walk or some gardening counts!

💚 We are here to support you if you’re supporting a loved one with mental illness; get in touch with us to find out how we can help.

Expressions of Interest – Connections with Hope 🌱Are you experiencing mild to moderate depression and finding it difficu...
23/08/2026

Expressions of Interest – Connections with Hope 🌱

Are you experiencing mild to moderate depression and finding it difficult to get back to feeling like yourself?

Supporting Families in Mental Illness Manawatū is inviting expressions of interest for our Connections with Hope programme in Levin - a free and confidential 10-week programme designed to support people experiencing depression.

The programme provides:
💚 A safe space to talk and connect with others
💚 Information and understanding about depression
💚 New ways of thinking and practical skills
💚 Helpful resources to take home
💚 Most importantly, hope — because people can recover.

There are limited places available and eligibility criteria apply, so if you or someone you know may benefit, please get in touch to find out more.

📧 [email protected]
📱 027 355 8562

You don't have to cope with depression alone. There is hope, and support is available. 💚

As many of us have noticed, it's been *very* cold over the past week! 🥶❄️When the weather turns chilly, it's not just ou...
06/08/2026

As many of us have noticed, it's been *very* cold over the past week! 🥶❄️

When the weather turns chilly, it's not just our bodies that can be affected - our mental wellbeing can take a hit too. Shorter days, less sunlight, and spending more time indoors can leave us feeling flat, isolated, or low on energy.

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand recently shared some great reminders about looking after our wellbeing during winter. It's well worth a read. 💙

If you're supporting a family member living with mental health challenges, winter can be an especially important time to check in. Small acts of care can make a big difference:

☀️ Wrap up warmly and head outside together for a short walk. Even 10 - 15 minutes of daylight and fresh air can help boost mood.
🌳 If walking feels like too much, simply sit in the sunshine with a warm drink and enjoy a few quiet moments together.
💬 Check in with kindness rather than assumptions. A simple "How are you doing today?" can open the door to connection.
🍲 Share a warm meal or hot drink. Comfort and routine can be grounding.
🧩 Encourage gentle activities you can do together, like a puzzle, baking, a board game, or watching a favourite movie.
❤️ Remember that motivation can be hard to find when someone is struggling. Offering company and encouragement - without pressure - can mean more than trying to "fix" things.

Winter won't last forever, but feeling connected can help us get through it together.

What helps you or your whānau stay well during the colder months? Share your ideas below - we'd love to hear them. 💙

Back to School, Back to Routine 💙With primary schools returning next week, it's a great time to remember that every chil...
15/07/2026

Back to School, Back to Routine 💙

With primary schools returning next week, it's a great time to remember that every child will experience the start of term differently. While some will be excited, others may be feeling nervous or overwhelmed, and that's okay.

As families prepare for the week ahead, simple things like re-establishing routines, talking about feelings, and allowing extra time in the mornings can help children feel more confident and supported.

A little patience, encouragement, and kindness can make a big difference as our tamariki settle back into school.

From all of us at Supporting Families in Mental Health Manawatū, we wish our students, whānau, teachers, and school communities a positive and successful start to Term 3. Stay warm, be kind, and remember that mental wellbeing matters every day.

💙 Together, we can help every child thrive.

13/07/2026

🌻 Growing stronger together in our Manawatū community 💙

Just like a sunflower needs care, support, and the right environment to grow, our whānau thrive when they feel connected, supported, and understood.

At Supporting Families in Mental Health Manawatu, we’re here to walk alongside families through life’s challenges — creating a safe space where people feel heard, valued, and supported.

A loved one may not always say, “I’m struggling.” Sometimes it can look like:

🌻 Becoming more withdrawn
🌻 Changes in sleep or eating
🌻 Losing interest in things they usually enjoy
🌻 Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks
🌻 Increased frustration or worry

Sometimes, a simple “I’ve noticed you seem different lately — how are you going?” can open an important conversation.

Small moments of care can make a big difference. A check-in, a conversation, and knowing someone is there can help a person feel less alone.

Together, we can continue growing a community where families feel supported, connected, and cared for. 🌻💙

🌙 Beyond Matariki: What Can the Maramataka Teach Us About Wellbeing?While Matariki has passed, its message continues thr...
12/07/2026

🌙 Beyond Matariki: What Can the Maramataka Teach Us About Wellbeing?

While Matariki has passed, its message continues through the Maramataka—the Māori lunar calendar, which reflects the rhythms of the moon, environment, and daily life.

Traditionally, the Maramataka guided activities such as planting, fishing, harvesting, and rest, recognising that different times call for different ways of being. Some days are for action and productivity; others are for slowing down, reflecting, and reconnecting.

This offers a valuable wellbeing reminder: our energy and capacity naturally change, and we don’t need to be at our best every day.

✨ Rest is restorative, not unproductive.
✨ Slowing down is part of balance.
✨ Caring for ourselves helps us show up for others.

Grounded in mātauranga Māori, the Maramataka invites us to live with greater awareness of the natural cycles around us—and within ourselves.

How do you know when your mind and body are asking you to slow down?

🌟 Only 1 Week to Go – Project CALM: 8-Week Anxiety Reduction Programme for Children & Parents 🌟Do you have a child aged ...
12/07/2026

🌟 Only 1 Week to Go – Project CALM: 8-Week Anxiety Reduction Programme for Children & Parents 🌟

Do you have a child aged 8–11 who struggles with anxiety? There is still time to register for Project CALM, our evidence-based 8-week programme designed to help children and their parents develop practical, lifelong skills to understand and manage anxiety together.

What makes Project CALM unique?

✨ 8 weekly sessions (1 hour each), starting next week
✨ Parents attend alongside their child, learning the strategies together
✨ Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Self-Compassion approaches
✨ Children build skills in mindfulness, relaxation, emotional regulation, self-compassion, and problem-solving
✨ Parents gain valuable insights into anxiety, thinking patterns, sensory challenges, and ways to support their child with confidence
✨ Small groups (maximum of 8 children) provide a supportive and personalised learning environment

Places are limited and the programme begins in just one week. If you're looking for practical strategies to support your child and strengthen your family's confidence in managing anxiety, we'd love to hear from you.

📞 Register your interest today
Supporting Families Manawatū
☎️ 06 355 8561
📧 [email protected]

08/07/2026

❄️ Keep Warm This Winter — Without Breaking the Budget ❄️

With colder nights settling in, staying warm doesn’t have to mean turning up the heater and watching the power bill climb. A few simple, affordable changes around the home can make a big difference.

Here are some budget-friendly ways to stay cosy this winter:

🧦 Layer up first
Warm socks, a cosy jumper, slippers and a blanket can help you stay comfortable while using less energy. Keeping your body warm is often easier (and cheaper) than heating the whole house.

🔥 Use targeted warmth
A hot water bottle or heat pack can provide hours of comfort for just a few dollars. They’re perfect for warming up your bed before sleep or keeping cosy while relaxing on the couch. Budget hot water bottles can often be found from around $4–$7 at the Warehouse.

🚪 Stop cold draughts
Cold air sneaking under doors can quickly make a room feel chilly. A simple draught stopper can be an inexpensive fix, with options available for around $7-12 at the warehouse.

🪟 Make the most of your curtains
Open curtains during sunny winter days to let natural warmth in, then close them once the temperature drops to help keep heat inside.

🛏️ Make your bedroom warmer
Extra blankets, flannel sheets, a cosy throw, or even adding a rug to cold floors can help make bedrooms and living areas feel much warmer without needing to heat the whole house.

🍲 Warm from the inside
Enjoying warm meals, soups and hot drinks can help you feel comfortable on chilly days while adding a little winter comfort.

Small changes can make a big difference — and staying warm doesn’t have to cost a fortune. ❤️

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163 Broadway Avenue
Palmerston North City

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