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Otago Mental Health Support Trust

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    Otago Mental Health Support Trust provides peer support, advocacy & information for people affected by mental distress and/or addiction.

    We will walk alongside you.

    We will listen to you and hear what you say.

    We do not need to know a diagnosis if you have one and we are here for families, whānau and friends too.

    Our service is free, confidential, independent and needs no referral.

    If you are experiencing mental distress and would like support please get in touch. You can call us toll free on 0800 364 462.

    Staff

    We have five Intentional Peer Support Workers who provide one-on-one support, advocacy and information for people experiencing mental distress and/or addiction.

    We also have a Systemic Advocacy Advisor who works towards addressing and improving ways that mental health and addiction services are delivered at a local, regional and national level.

     

    Programme

    Advocacy

    Advocacy is about supporting you to get your voice heard and working through issues that you may encounter with mental health services or organisations such as WINZ.

    Peer Support

    Our peer support is based on the Intentional Peer Support (IPS) model and is mostly one on one peer support. We also run a women’s group every Wednesday, and a monthly Coffee and Connection group. Peer support relationships are mutual and reciprocal relationships, where staff walk alongside people during their journey and experience with mental distress. It is based on three principles:

    • Hope vs Fear
    • Learning vs Helping
    • Relationship vs Individual

    These are embodied in 4 tasks:

    Connection: This is about when someone else “gets it”. The sharing of experiences to learn and explore possible options.

    Worldview: Helping each other to understand how we’ve come to know what we know. Instead of asking ‘what’s wrong,’ we ask ‘what happened?’

    Mutuality: Redefining help as a co-learning and growing process.

    Moving Towards: what we want, vision and action.

    Information & Education

    We have information on support services, medication and research on mental health issues.

    You can make use of our free library.

    Our friendly staff can help you find the information and knowledge around mental distress you are looking for.

    We run workshops on Stigma and Discrimination. If you or your organisation are interested please let us know.

    Charges

    No fees apply

    Age groups

    • Adult / Pakeke
    • Older adult / Kaumātua

    How do I access this service?

    • Referral
    • Contact us
    • Website / App

    Fees and Charges Categorisation

    • Free