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Podcasts, Instagram feed, Other Support Services & Resources

NATIONAL HELPLINES:

Immediate danger:

 

Depression-specific helplines:

  • Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)

  • www.depression.org.nz – includes The Journal online help service

  • SPARX.org.nz –  online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed

 

Help for parents, family and friends:

  • Plunketline – A toll-free parent helpline and advice service available to all families, whānau and caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 0800 933 922 for parenting help.  Calls are free from cell phones.

  • Plunket Family Centres – Plunket Family Centres provide a free service, offering practical support and information on different whānau topics: 09 489 9778

  • Commonground – a website hub providing parents, family, whānau and friends with access to information, tools and support to help a young person who is struggling

  • Parent Help – Helpline for support, advice and help on how best to support your family – 0800 568 856

  • Family Services 211 Helpline –  0800 211 211  for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area

  • Family Start – An intensive home visiting programme, focused on tamariki. The programme works with whānau to improve a child’s health, learning and relationships.

  • Birthright – Support for one-parent families – 04 802 5377

  • Skylight – 0800 299 100 (for support through trauma, loss and grief; 9am-5pm weekdays)

  • Yellow Brick Road - supporting Families In Mental Illness – 0800 732 825 (for families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness)

  • Bellyful – 0508 BELLYFUL (0508 2355938) Free meal service for parents and families.

  • Crying Over Spilt Milk – 07 855 9350 – Gastric Reflux Support Network NZ

  • Budget Advice Services

 

Multiple specific groups:

 

Sexuality or gender identity helpline:

Helplines for children and young people:

Other specialist helplines:

  • Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or online chat

  • Are You OK – 0800 456 450  family violence helpline

  • Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655

  • Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)

  • Seniorline – 0800 725 463 A free information service for older people

  • Shine –  0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline

  • Quit Line – 0800 778 778 smoking cessation help

  • Vagus Line – 0800 56 76 666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon – 2pm). Promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence

  • Women’s Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)

  • Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence)

  • Rape Crisis – 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault)

 

Warmline for consumers of mental health services:

  • Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them

  • Auckland Central – 0508 927 654 or 0508  WARMLINE – (8pm to midnight, seven nights)​

Podcasts

To get a feel for my style and the way I like to support parents, here are a few, free and accessible podcasts that I have been interviewed on:

​Aware Parenting Stories Podcast: Episode 96: Birth Debriefing with Kirsty Fernandes

The Aware Parenting Podcast: Episode 152: Helping Mothers heal from a traumatic birthing experience with Kirsty Fernandes 

The Spirited Hearts Podcast: Episode 58: The Importance of Postpartum Support in Motherhood with Kirsty Fernandes

Aware Parenting Stories Podcast: Episode 44: Trusting the process with Kirsty Fernandes

Talking Aware Parenting with Vivian Viester: Episode 12: Talking Aware Parenting with Kirsty Fernandes 

 

My Birth Story/Birth Trauma Aotearoa:

Birth trauma support:

https://www.mybirthstory.org.nz/our-story

The Little Miracles Trust:

Supports families of premature or unwell babies:

https://littlemiraclestrust.org.nz/ 

Books:​

Postpartum:

Aware Parenting books by Aletha Solter:

  1. The Aware Baby 

  2. Tears and Tantrums 

  3. Attachment Play 

  4. Cooperative and Connected 

  5. Raising Drug Free Kids  

  6. Healing your traumatized child

Introducing the concept of a new sibling:

Websites and online articles:

A brief on Mama Honouring Ceremonies, written by my wonderful colleague, Marta Willis: 

The essence of Mother Roasting (no ovens involved, I promise!) 

The benefits of postpartum care:

The value of the Asian tradition of postpartum lie-ins

The Aware Parenting Institute: 

http://www.awareparenting.com/ 

Great website for sound, research based advice:

https://kellymom.com/ 

Breastfeeding advice and support:

https://lalecheleague.org.nz/

Meal Train: organise meals for a friend after a birth, surgery or illness (or have someone organise it for you!)

https://www.mealtrain.com/ 

SPACE - connect with other Mums post-birth and explore your baby's development in a facilitated environment:

https://www.playcentre.org.nz/whatwedo/space-at-playcentre/

Playcentre - a village for you and your children to grow and PLAY!

https://www.playcentre.org.nz 

Support for Fathers and Father figures:​

Nourishing Fathers

https://www.nourishingfathers.com

Apps to download:

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