Free youth health services

For Youth aged 11-19 years in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough:

COUNSELLING - NELSON


Age range: From age 12
Service for people with mild to moderate mental health issues.
(GP referral required)
Website: www.nbph.org.nz/bis


Age range: 13-20 year olds
Youth alcohol and drug/mental health counselling service.
(GP referral required)
Website: https://nbph.org.nz/youth-alcohol-and-drugmental-health-counselling-service

COUNSELING BLENHEIM


Age range: ALL AGES Cultural-based mental health and anger management counselling.
Website: www.maataawaka.co.nz/youth-services


Age range: From age 12 Service for people with mild to moderate mental health issues.
(GP referral required)
Website: www.marlboroughpho.org.nz/programmes-services/primary-mental-health

ALL REGIONS


Age range: Up to age 18
Assessment and treatment for serious mental health disorders (GP referral required).


Mainstream service

Website: www.nmdhb.govt.nz/CAMHS


Kaupapa Maori service

Website: www.tpo.org.nz/camhs-clinical 
Website: www.tpo.org.nz/camhs-nonclinical

NELSON


Age range: Up to age 22
Including contraception, STI checks and treatment, pregnancy testing
Websitewww.inp.co.nz

BLENHEIM


Age range: Up to age 22 Including contraception, STI checks and treatment, and pregnancy testing.
Website: www.familyplanning.org.nz/clinics

Free dental care is available to teens from Year 9 to their 18th birthday from contracted dentists through the Adolescent Oral Health Service 

 

Who is eligible?

Children and teenagers from Year 7 until their 18th birthday have access to free dental care under the adolescent oral health programme in Nelson Marlborough.

COVID-19 Claiming Extension

Did you or do you know someone who turned 18 years between 18 August 2021 and 30 December 2022 and didn’t receive their final examination and/or treatment while aged 17 years?

They will also be eligible for free care under the adolescent oral health programme for this limited time

What’s the deal?

No matter where you’re at … school, training course, work or unemployed … you can receive FREE dental care every year until your 18th birthday!

What free dental care will I get?
  • A yearly check-up
  • X-rays if necessary
  • Cleaning to remove plaque, staining and tartar
  • Fillings for teeth that have tooth decay (holes)
  • Extractions to remove teeth that have been badly affected by tooth decay.
     

Learn more about the programme 

ALL AGES ALL REGIONS


Whanake Youth
Whanake Youth is a free service for young people age 12-24 years. The team consists of nurses, social workers and youth workers to support the health and wellbeing of young people. The service works in some high schools and intermediate schools in the Nelson Tasman region and liaises with secondary services for moderate to severe physical or emotional needs. Whanake Youth is a primary care NGO and works within a youth centred framework that is holistic and supportive of whānau.
Website: www.whanakeyouth.org.nz
Mobile: 0211542369
Email: [email protected]


Quit smoking programmes

Website: www.nmdhb.govt.nz/smokefree


Alcohol and drug addictions service (self-referral)

Website: www.nmdhb.govt.nz/alcohol-and-drug-services


Pharmacies

Pharmacies offer free, trustworthy health advice.


Emergency contraceptive pill (ECP)
Available from most pharmacies and GPs free of charge.


Pregnancy education
Giving you and your baby a good start.
Website: www.nmdhb.govt.nz/antenatal-classes


Helplines

Free Phone Helplines - Te Whatu Ora - Nelson Marlborough (nmdhb.govt.nz)

FREE GP & NURSE APPOINTMENTS
Age range: For children aged 13 and under
Including after-hours and urgent care medical centres.

 

FREE HEARING TESTS - ALL REGIONS
Age range: From 18 years old  Free hearing test at Bay Audiology.
Website: www.bayaudiology.co.nz

 

FREE VISION TEST
Age range 0-16 year olds. ALL REGIONS Free vision test with Specsavers.

 

LONG-DISTANCE VISION EYE TEST
Age range: 11-12 year olds
ALL REGIONS
Website: www.kidshealth.org.nz/hearing-and-vision-checks

Key rangatahi vaccinations

Digital tools for rangatahi wellbeing

Find below interactive websites and resources for youth mental wellbeing for parents, young people, and youth workers:

A ‘with youth, for youth’ organisation that supports young people aged between 12-24 years with a free helpline service (text, phone, web chat & email), free face-to-face counselling services and youth mentoring. 

 

A free, nationally-available counselling helpline and webchat service for children and teenagers. 

 

A space created with rangatahi, for rangatahi. Find support here for your hauora, identity, culture and mental health. 

 

Developed by rangatahi with help from experts, Headstrong is a secure digital app that connects users with a virtual guide. Young people can use it to build resilience and a healthy outlook on life.      

Free call or free text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor or talk to a peer support worker. 1737 can support you while you support a young person. 

 

An evidence-based parenting support programme that helps parents raise happy, confident children and adolescents. 

 

Guide to help consider how you might initiate a conversation with a young person about mental health and wellbeing 

 

Parenting guides to help kids manage worries, support teens with decision making, and guide young people in navigating social media. 

 

Kids who are playing games online are not immune from gambling harm, so parents should keep a watchful eye on the games their children are playing. 

He Tuinga Aroha is a campaign for rangatahi Māori and their whānau, highlighting the protective benefits of strong communication within families. 

 

Review the aspirations, implementation strategies, and outcomes of national Child and Youth Wellbeing initiatives. 

 

A survey from Hiringa Hauora considering the demographic, social and wellbeing factors that influence substance use for Young Pacific peoples. 

Why apps are important self-care tools:


Apps hold amazing potential as mental health and wellbeing tools. You can carry them everywhere, engage with them in real-time as you’re experiencing distress, and interact with them in a completely different way from other self-help tools.
 


Please note: apps don’t replace professional help or your doctor’s advice, and there is no current accreditation system for apps that are designed. 
It’s important to note an app will only be effective if you use it, and you are probably more likely to use something you enjoy using so if you don’t like the look of the app, don’t like the language it uses, or don’t like the things it asks you to do, it’s probably best finding another one. 

 

Some great apps for rangitahi youth:

Calm Harm

Beyond Now2

Mind Shift

Sminling Mind

Programmes & pathways for rangatahi

There are many incredible organisations across Te Tauihu for young people to get involved in, here are a few of them:

Who are Marlborough Youth Trust?

The Marlborough Youth Trust (MYT) was established in 2000 with the intention of providing a service to the young people of Marlborough.

Marlborough Youth Trust employs youth workers, who work with organisations and the youth of Marlborough to support access to services, navigation of services, the running of the Myspace Youth Centre for youth aged 12-24.

 

Programmes by Marlborough Youth Trust:


MySpace Youth Development Centre

Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm (Depending on bookings)

MYSPACE youth development centre where youth aged 12- 24 can come, join in, set up activities and events for their community. There are youth workers on site, a Café-kitchen, music suite and sound room, meeting spaces, classroom, social gathering space, indoor and outdoor sport space, boot camp, youth group sessions & rock-climbing wall & dance suite. Feel welcome to visit and join in. 


YEP Youth Employability Programme for 20+ youth

8-week course learning soft skills for employment, Teamwork, Communication, Positive attitude, Willingness to learn, Resilience, Self-management, 10 hours volunteering, and 20 hours of work placement

Young Adults Group

Once a week gathering for 18- 24 over a meal or planned activities


Rainbow Youth:

Meet Mondays at Myspace 6-7pm 

Stick and Wheels 12-24

Disabilities friendship support group 

Friday Night Youth Group

3:30-7pm @ Myspace

Seddon Youth Group

6-8pm every second week

 

CACTUS Blenheim & Picton

3 courses a year proudly sponsored by Marlborough Lines

CACTUS is an 8-week boot camp/course which is supported by NZ Police, a trainer & college staff aiming to increase self-confidence, leadership, resilience, teamwork and fitness, finishing up with the Longest day which occurred on Saturday 2nd July 2022.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR CACTUS Term 4 in Blenheim & Picton - contact [email protected] to apply

 

Youth in Emergency Services 2022 Programme

An 8-week programme which saw youth experience 7 different emergency services following by the big day out exercise.

 

Springfest

A youth music festival taking place on Friday 30th September during Mental Health Awareness Week, all about celebrating the amazing youth performers in the region and the changing of seasons.

We are looking for performers & youth stall holders for 2022!

 

Find out more at www.myt.org.nz

 

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Whenua Iti Outdoors has been working with rangatahi for over 35 years to provide opportunities in the outdoors to build their skills & confidence in an adventurous setting, but most importantly to connect with nature, and connect with others in their community and learn what they are capable of.

 

We offer holiday programmes, school programmes and community group programmes from ages 7+.

All programmes weave together elements of adventurous, cultural and environmental learning and have a positive effect on holistic wellbeing.

For secondary students, this includes a range of programmes that use an adventure therapy model to provide enhanced support for youth mental wellbeing.

Students could experience caving on the Takaka Hill, hear local pūrākau (stories) while exploring the bush or learn how to deal with emergency situations in the wilderness!

The experiential learning opportunities at Whenua Iti are varied and tailored to the individuals in each group to provide the right amount of challenge.  


Who the programme is for:

The Whenua Iti Outdoors base is in Lower Moutere, about 10 mins outside of Motueka. Most of our programmes will start from our base, and then explore local outdoors locations in the surrounding area and wilderness locations in our three local national parks.

The secondary programmes bring together students from all over Te Tau Ihu (the Top of the South), including Te Tai Poutini (West Coast) and Wairau (Marlborough) and our funded primary programmes, are focused on schools in our local rohe (region). Our holiday programmes currently run in Motueka, Westport and Greymouth. We welcome schools and students from across Aotearoa for group bookings and school camps.


What participants of the programme said:

“I have really enjoyed being on the programme. It has helped me immensely with developing my personal skills and resilience. The programme gave me the confidence and tools to tackle life challenges".


"I was on the very first pilot of the adventure therapy course that took place in the Cobb valley and those 11 days in nature reconnecting with myself and others without distraction changed my life completely. I can’t thank Whenua Iti enough for what they did for me."


"The outdoor trips with Whenua Iti Outdoors were a good environment to develop my skills to adapt to changing situations, develop teamwork skills and realise what I am capable of".

 

Our instructors are highly experienced to deliver outdoor programmes in a way that enables rangatahi to feel safe and supported enough to give new things a go. It’s through these shared challenges that we see young people truly connect with one another and walk away from our programmes a little taller. When students are outside, connecting to the world around them and away from devices we see different people walk away from our programmes than those who first arrived." - Mark Bruce Miller, General Manager  

How to access resources:

If you are unable to attend one of our programmes, you can still access free activities and resources via our website. There are fun videos to follow and activity pages to download. We have developed the activities to support tamariki and rangatahi to be active, connect with nature and promote health & wellbeing, including teacher resources to support the delivery of these activities in a classroom setting.

 

Find all available programmes on their website

 

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Kaiarahi 2022 2

Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough is a vibrant local charity - with affiliation to the Graeme Dingle Foundation nationally. We act as a ‘community partner’ to the national body and are licensed to deliver programmes as we see fit for our unique local needs. The majority of our costs are met locally, we have a Board of local trustees and we run our programmes with local planning and leadership. We’re proud to be helping over 50% of Marlborough's young people each week.

Today’s fast pace of change impacts on many levels within society; from education to employment, from communication to recreation. Our young people need to learn skills and strategies to develop into resilient people who can cope and thrive in this ongoing evolution and disruption. They need to learn how to work together, understand other perspectives, collaborate for mutual success, and how to bounce back from setbacks. Our programmes support the development of these skills and values, so our tamariki and rangatahiare able to overcome the challenges they will inevitably face in life.

 

Our vision is all about thriving young people, a strong community.

To hear more about us – in the words of our students, schools and whānau - please watch:


Who is the programme for?


The Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough delivers five programmes across the region, working with young people from age five to twenty-five. Over 3,200 young people are impacted by our programme every week.

  • The Kiwi Can, Stars Teina and Stars programmes are offered through the twenty local schools and colleges we partner with around the region.

  • Career Navigator is open to all Marlborough students in Year 12 and 13. We are taking names for the 2023 intake now. Anyone interested in applying can go to www.bit.ly/CareerNavigator2023

  • Toroa Career Navigator is open to all 15–24-year-olds in Marlborough not currently in work or training. More details on how to connect with the Toroa programme are listed below.

Some words from our students:


  • "Kiwi Can teaches us about important things like positive relationships, resilience, integrity and respect. For example, this term we are learning all about integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We learn about these things through play and lots of fun activities"(Kiwi Can Student)

  • “I will remember most how everyone [became] accepting of others’ opinions but were also brave enough to question their opinion” (Stars Student)

  • “Through my time in Career Navigator, I found my dream career!” (Career Navigator Graduate)

  • “Give Toroa a go. You just never know where it’s going to take you. I’m excited for my future again now.” (Toroa Career Navigator Graduate)

 The need for our programmes to support Marlborough's young people is stronger than ever. Our programmes are ever more relevant - helping students allay their anxiety, keep social connectedness in a safe way and build resilience. As we have seen with the disruption to a routine during the COVID pandemic there is a clear need to provide connection and continuity for our children and young people and their whānau during unsettling times. We have been working with our young people for over a decade in Marlborough and are well-placed to do just that!


As Aaron Vercoe (Principal of Redwoodtown School) said: "Kiwi Can's values-based education programme is especially important during these unprecedented times. The message of resilience, positive relationships and respect are more important than ever for our learners".

The Toroa Career Navigator Programme:


We’re keen to hear from young people who might benefit from our “Toroa Career Navigator” programme. Toroa is designed for 15–24-year-olds, living in Marlborough, who are not currently in education, training or work – but keen to be! The next programme will begin at the start of 2023 and we would love to hear from any rangatahi we can help!

To find out more please phone or email Rachel Rodger (Toroa Coordinator) - 021 826 526 or [email protected].

Find out more about the Graeme Dingle Foundation

 

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Whanake Youth provides safe space where young people ages 12 to 24 can access professional healthcare, as well as advice and support from knowledgeable, trained professionals who care.   

Our goal is to raise the quality of care for young people across the district, from Nelson through Tasman, by providing youth services such as professional healthcare, advice, support, a safe space and an inspiring place, watched over by knowledgeable, trained professionals who deeply care about our community and how the youth are raised.

Mentoring

for young people age 12-24. You want to catch up, have some gnarly questions about life. Check us out!

School Nursing

for young people in high schools and Alternative Education. Our nurses know heaps about young people's health, ask about anything!

Youth programs and Workshops.  

We offer a chill space at HQ and run workshops or events that young people want. Such as baking, mindfulness, X-Box, table tennis etc. 

Social Enterprise

SYP cafe

Open Tues-Sat 7:15-9:15 am. Young people aged 15-24 can be part of learning barista skills and confidence. Contact [email protected]

 

We are a team of friendly healthcare professionals who are passionate about the health and wellbeing of the youth in our community. We are excited to see positive change in the lives of our local rangatahi and offer a non-judgmental space to nurture and develop their health and wellbeing.

Whanake means to rise up to the sky, 
to move onwards, to spring up, 
develop and to grow...

Our office is based at Unit N, 530 Main Rd Stoke (in Stoke Central Mall). Most of our staff are out and about in the community most days but do pop in anytime between 8.30-4.30pm as would love to see you.  

HQ is our awesome youth space. During winter we are open every day apart from Wednesdays between 3-5pm. We do some awesome community building, cooking, watching movies or being outside amongst nature.

HQ is available for young people age 12-24 years is located at 548 Main Rd Stoke (behind Stoke Memorial hall) next to Marsden Cricket ground. 

 

Read Whanake Youth's co-founder and registered nurse Lee-Ann O'Brien's story

Community initiatives

Health Promoter Reuben Molnar of Marlborough Primary Health worked alongside a group of Rangatahi Māori from Blenheim's Bohally Intermediate to learn how to grow kumara at a plot down at the Marlborough Community gardens, with guidance from Richard Hunter – Plant Food Research/Community gardens & Cindy Verry – Oranga Tamariki Youth worker.


They were planted in November 2021 and harvested at end of March and this year they will look to plant again to grow more. It was a fantastic opportunity for these rangatahi to learn about Kumara and its arrival in New Zealand, and its cultural significance too.

 

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The community gardens plot that was used.

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Bohally students de-weeding the patch.

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Planting the kumara.

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The Kumara planted.

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Keeping an eye on its growth.

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The harvested product!

 

From Reuben Molnar, Health Promoter for Hauora Rangatahi:

At the start of 2022 Queen Charlotte College woodwork/technology teacher, Richard Mahoney, reached out to community groups looking for projects his class could contribute to.

Last year I was involved in a project with Marlborough Youth Trust, Marlborough Woodworkers Guild & Top of the South Neighbourhood Support which saw planter boxes built from reusable products, such as pallet wood, mussel floats & vineyard posts to grow vegetables, herbs & flowers. Six of the boxes were given to elderly people living in council flats and six went to the Myspace youth centre.

So when Richard reached out I instantly had in mind an awesome project. Richard and his class were keen to take part in the planter box project. The Picton Lions put out the request for the elderly who were keen to receive one and the community planter box project was underway. The class have an amazing facility at QCC to build and they have the expertise to put these together. So far they have made and delivered thirteen boxes to the elderly in Picton. Compost has been donated so these can be filled, Mitre10 mega has donated pallets, and Kaituna Sawmill supplied funds to purchase timber.

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Proud Queen Charlotte College students with their planter box.

boxing2We are involved in supporting the Maunga, To Moana, To Whenua recreation series – a collaboration between Sport Tasman & Bohally Intermediate in Blenheim. Maunga, To Moana, To Whenua is a leadership programme for year 7 & 8 developed to increase outdoor education opportunities, leadership and connection to the whenua/ areas of cultural significance in the area. The activities are co-designed with Rangatahi and what they want to do - so far we have practised boxing, and coming up we have skiing and rafting trips planned.

From a Youth Council member's experience at a Wellbeing for Young People Session:


On 10 August 2022, Tasman District Council hosted the annual Top of the South Youth Council Hui. This was attended by approximately 30 young people from Golden Bay, Murchison, Tasman area, Nelson and Marlborough. This is a day of shared experiences and opportunities for these young leaders. One of the highlights of the day was a session focused on Wellbeing for Young People, led by inspiring holistic health and wellbeing coach, Astiana Trouland.

The session covered several areas, including breath work and the breath’s influence on the nervous system and response to stress. Another concept was a response to fear. Trouland challenged participants to reframe their mindsets surrounding fear. Could fear be thought of as F.E.A.R or “False Evidence Appearing Real”? Meaning that sometimes fear is anxiety that seems like a real threat, but is actually an illusion we made ourselves believe in. Trouland encouraged members of the Youth Council to consider how much of the fear response can be caused by external factors such as texts, emails, social media etc., and offered practices to mitigate their F.E.A.R response.

Feedback from a member of the Youth Council:

1. What does wellbeing mean to you?

To me, well-being means taking care of others while taking care of yourself. It means to keep track of the four aspects of hauora in your life; Spiritual, Emotional, Mental and Physical, and keeping a nice even balance between them.

2. What did you learn from the session?

I learnt that taking a break from everything is really important for your wellbeing, being able to step back for a while is incredibly rewarding.

3. What is one suggestion you would pass on to a friend if they were feeling stressed?

I would suggest to them to let themselves relax for a while, allow themselves to feel what they need to and take a break. Decide for yourself whether you should fight, or flight, because sometimes leaving a situation is what you need to do, and sometimes staying and fighting is what you need to do.

Post-lockdown rangatahi wellbeing and aspirations survey

The need for a post-COVID-19 study


At the end of 2020, the need for a snapshot survey of rangatahi insights was identified through consultation and engagement with local rangatahi, youth and health organisations.

The purpose of Rangatahi Wellbeing and Aspirations Survey was to measure the impact to which COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 had played upon rangatahi wellbeing and aspirations here in Te Tauihu (Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman Regions).

Download the full study (PDF)



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What is missing for young people in our region?

What is missing

How can young people be a part of the solution?

what role can young people play

Resources to support rangitahi through COVID-19: