Free event aimed at boosting mental wellbeing in Far North

• Published date: 29 September 2022
• Publication title: Northland Age, The

This year, Rongopai House Community Trust is celebrating the week alongside other organisations such as Women’s Refuge, Te Hiku Hauora Ora, Te Rarawa, Far North REAP, Te Roopu Kimiora and Aronui Ora to raise awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing in the Far North area

To mark the occasion, a free Whānau Event will be held next Tuesday (October 4) at Kaitaia’s Te Ahu Centre, from 10am to 12.30pm, with a focus on whānau with young tamariki aged five and under.

Positive mental health and wellbeing are proven as important throughout one’s lifespan.

Research indicates, however, that between the ages of 0 and 5, children are more likely to have positive mental health and wellbeing if raised in a safe environment where they are well-nurtured and receive unconditional love.

Rongopai House Community Trust is located in the Kaitaia community and supports whānau with young tamariki aged five and under.

According to Rongopai House whānau coach Roberta Kaio and programme co-ordinator Lucy Houtas, despite the organisation being smaller in comparison to other larger health and social services, in their view, the trust had a ‘‘whole lot of heart’’.

“Under the values of St Saviours Church, including ‘helping those in need’, we support mums and their pēpē to overcome the challenges in their lives,” Kaio said.

“Whether that is with mental health and addictions, being single parents, experiencing domestic violence, or just needing a safe place to come to where they can be around other like-minded families.”

One of their long-standing programmes, Feed My Lambs, is their flagship and has been running...