Mental Health Awareness Week

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During Mental Health Awareness Week, VOYCE delivered wellbeing packs to rangatahi we actively engage with, as part of a passive tūhono initiative led by Jessica Bartleman. The packs included fidget toys, an emotional care star necklace, mental health resources, and a cheat sheet of emergency/helpline numbers to support rangatahi aged 8–23.

A total of 30 packs were given out, each received with excitement and gratitude. Rangatahi responded with enthusiasm and appreciation:

  • “This is honestly SO cool! Thank you for making my day”
  • “OMW, is this for me?? YAY”
  • “I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. THANK YOU”
  • “This necklace is so cute, so petite, I want to put it on now”
  • “Thank you for acknowledging the importance of mental health”
  • “This is so awesome, thank you”

These packs provided rangatahi with practical tools for emotional wellbeing, while also reinforcing that mental health matters and that VOYCE is there to support and celebrate them.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.