Te Pou

We held the second Te Pou therapeutic communities training for this year in Ōtautahi Christchurch in November (pictured). This was a great opportunity to have training in Te Waipounamu South Island with people coming together from across the country. Setting the mauri Parata and Lorraine from Te Ahi Wairua Kaikōura led a mihi whakatau, acknowledging Ngāi Tahu and the late whaea Pam Armstrong's contribution to this kaupapa. During the training, participants learn under the concept of “community as method” where the training becomes a mini version of a modified therapeutic community. The aim of the training is to support addiction practitioners, addiction support workers, and other relevant professionals to develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills that can be applied in the addiction therapeutic communities context here in Aotearoa New Zealand. “Loved the training and appreciate the mahi of the facilitators. Made heaps of new connections and built relationships that are inspiring. Loved it!” -Participant feedback Te Pou would like to thank suzy morrison, Rachel Scaife, Kevin Hollingsworth, and all the training attendees for sharing their knowledge, experience, skills, and personalities, which made this training successful. Special acknowledgement goes out to the hosts at Odyssey House and the cultural guidance provided by Parata and Lorraine from Te Ahi Wairua Kaikōura. Te Pou will announce dates for further therapeutic communities training early in the new year. We wish our residential treatment whānau a Meri Kirihimete. #TherapeuticCommunities #Addiction #Training

Our last e-bulletin for the year is out now. This month, we reflect on some of the highlights of the year, announce the launch of the updated Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017 e-learning modules and share upcoming workshop dates for early 2025. Catch up on the latest news and events here: https://lnkd.in/gWZci6ew #MentalHealth #Addiction #WorkforceDevelopment #AotearoaNewZealand

A recent communication from the coroner about the Mental Health Act recommended that frontline doctors and nurse practitioners who complete assessment paperwork under section 8 of the Mental Health Act complete the Te Pou e-learning modules supporting the implementation of the Act guidelines. These modules support the workforce to use the Act in a manner that is mana enhancing and upholding of rights in respect of Te Tiriti.   Each module takes 2 to 3 hours to complete and offers CME points from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP). Find the Te Pou e-learning modules by following this link: https://lnkd.in/g26J5sDi

Public submissions on the Mental Health Bill close on Friday 20 December, 2024. We encourage people to read the bill and have their say by making a submission. This bill would repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, with the aim to create a modern legislative framework for compulsory mental health care. It proposes to: - establish principles to guide decision-making about compulsory care - enable patients to express their preferences and specify what care they agree to - set out the rights of patients, children, and young people - establish a complaints process - update the processes for assessment and care of patients - provide for people who enter compulsory mental health care through the justice system - reduce restrictive practices such as seclusion - set out how compulsory mental health care would be administered, monitored, and reported on. He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction recommended that the Mental Health Act be repealed and replaced in order to reflect a human rights-based approach, promote supported decision-making, align with the recovery and well-being model of mental health, and provide measures to minimise compulsory or coercive treatment. Compulsory care should always be a last resort as it can have a significant impact on people’s lives and their loved ones. It is crucial we have legislation that ensures compulsory mental health care, when used, is provided in a safe, rights-based and recovery-focused way that is whānau inclusive. Read the Mental Health Bill and make a submission here: https://lnkd.in/gnCcJPM2

Our final CPSLE competencies workshop for the year takes place next week! This time, we are meeting online, but keep an eye out for more dates and in-person locations coming in 2025. We can't wait to engage with consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) workers in wānanga online. The focus will be on sharing both the potential of how you can incorporate CSPLE values and competencies into your daily mahi, and hearing and learning from how you already do. This unique workshop will be facilitated by Caro Swanson and Malcolm Mckenna, part of the lived experience team from Te Pou. Register for the virtual CPSLE competencies workshop here: https://lnkd.in/gSbrDBnQ #ConsumerPeerSupportLivedExperience #AotearoaNewZealand #CPSLEcompetencies #WorkforceDevelopment #MentalHealth #Addiction

Yesterday we hosted all these fabulous people for a Lived Experience Research Forum at AUT. Thanks so much to AUT for sponsoring the day- helping people to attend and providing the venue and kai. Lots of great conversations around what lived experience research is, what the barriers and enablers are in this space, and what lived experience research topics we would like to see in the future. A report of the day will be forthcoming. Thanks also go to our speakers on the day- Sarah Gordon, Tatiana Strudwick, Daniel Sutton and Debra Lampshire. And big shout out to Tula Brannelly for organising the funding and helping to get people along. And Caro and Debra for helping me facilitate. Next year I hope to put together a community of practice on lived experience research- watch this space! #livedexperience #research #evaluation #communities

When things are busy, it is hard for staff to find the time to collect the required information for PRIMHD reporting. It’s even harder when they don’t understand the value of this information and how it’s used. We created the Why data matters video to address this gap in knowledge by providing an entry-level explanation of how PRIMHD is used to improve mental health services and the outcomes of tāngata whai ora. Join Bob on his journey through services and see how his data is collected and used throughout. Learn more about the Why data matters video: https://lnkd.in/gNSF4Pxn #WhyDataMatters #ItsAboutPeople #ImprovingServices #BetterOutcomes #PRIMHD

Calling all community groups and organisations! 🌟 The Organisational Development Grant is part of the Rangatahi Ora Development Fund, offering up to $10,000 to support projects that uplift rangatahi mental wellbeing and resilience. This grant is here to empower Māori-led groups to bring youth voices into the design and delivery of services that truly make a difference. If your organisation is passionate about creating positive change for young Māori, apply now! Applications close 2 December. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gYE-fKzM #RangatahiOra #Funding #Māori #Community #Organisation #Development

Our penultimate e-bulletin for the year is out now. This month, we’re celebrating 15 years of disability workforce development at Te Pou, reflecting on what has been achieved in that time, while looking to how that momentum will be maintained in coming years, as our funding comes to an end. There’s also an update on the update of the Let’s get real framework and we share a new animated video that explains why it is so important to collect PRIHMD data accurately. Take a look at the latest news, updates, workshops and resources here: Take a look at the latest news, updates, workshops and resources here:  https://lnkd.in/gA9hm2WM

As we held our final disability event on the same day as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti, it offered some comfort in light of losing our disability contract. Our team came together to focus on our legacy and pay tribute to the late Sir Robert Martin, Poihaere Morris, and Maaka Tibble, each of whom made a profound impact on our work. We also celebrated the milestones and achievements we’re most proud of. This was followed by a gifting ceremony to hand some of our beloved taonga over to trusted sector providers and partners to carry on the mahi to maintain momentum.    One of the highlights was the panel session, skillfully chaired by Rae Lamb, which sparked insightful kōrero and discussions - particularly from Peter Reynolds, who challenged funders with some important points. While we understand the tough decisions Whaikaha had to make with funding cuts, it's crucial to remember that workforce development may not always be frontline, but it is essential for maintaining growth, quality, and safety within any sector. Lastly, we’re grateful that our significant contract for workforce development in Mental Health and Addictions is still ongoing and we maintain our commitment to this mahi.