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Counties Manukau Health Whakatupu Ora (Infant Mental Health)
Public Service
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Description
Update: Our community told us we need to make some changes. In response, we are improving the way mental health services work with you. We want to assure you we will talk with all service users and their whaanau about how changes might affect their care. If you have any questions please talk to your mental health clinician.
Whakatupu Ora is a specialist mental health service for families with a child under the age of 4.
We serve families of all cultures living in the Counties Manukau Health area.
We work alongside other mental health services, including Taunaki & Te Puawaitanga (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) and Adult Mental Health.
Who Are We?
Our team is made up of a number of clinicians with specialist knowledge and experience in working with families with very young children. Team members come from a variety of professions and backgrounds, including:
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Who Do We See?
At Whakatupu Ora we help infants and toddlers with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. We do this by supporting the relationship between caregivers and their child. We can help with difficulties caregivers might have in feeling close to their baby or toddler. We also help parents and pregnant women who have complicated feelings about their child. They may include anger, sadness, worries and difficulties feeling close to their baby.
How Do We Help?
We offer a number of supports and treatments for children and families, including:
- Assessments
- Group therapy with caregivers/whaanau
- Parent-child therapy
- Behavioural therapy
- Developmental guidance
- Parenting advice
- Emotional support for caregivers/whaanau
- Practical assistance with day-to-day needs
- Co-ordination of care with other services
- Medication
Treatments are tailored to meet individual and family/whaanau needs.
Our clinics are located at 7 Springs Road. There is plenty of free parking on-site.
If you would like to talk to someone with lived experience of mental health and or addictions contact our Peer TALK phoneline on 0800 234 432. This phoneline operates between 5pm and Midnight, seven days a week, and will connect you with a trained peer support worker who will listen to your experience and help you access further help if needed. Note: Peer Talk supports adults over 18. If you are under 18 contact Youthline on 0800 37 66 33.
For more information please see our Whakatupu Ora Service Brochure.
Need Immediate Help?
For urgent after-hours support please contact 0800 775 222, or phone (09) 265 4000 at any time.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about someone, there is help available. For more information please visit the Mental Health Foundation - In Crisis?, or in case of emergency call 111.
Hours
| Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
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If you need urgent help outside these hours please ring 0800 775 222
Referral Expectations
Who Can Refer?
Whakatupu Ora accepts referrals for children (up to their 4th birthday) and women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Referrals may be received from a number of community and health services. To be referred to Whakatupu Ora you must meet the following criteria:
Infants and Toddlers
- Display emotional or behavioural difficulties that are much worse than those experienced by other children of the same age
- Other support services have been unsuccessful, inappropriate or unavailable (for details of support services see Useful Links below)
Pregnant Women
- Have complicated feelings (such as anger or fear) or trouble bonding with their unborn child
- These difficulties cannot be explained by another mental illness
No matter who is referred our primary focus will be on strengthening the relationship between parents/whaanau and their child.
Referral Process
- Complete the referral form or write a referral letter outlining your concerns for the child and their family
- Fax the referral to us at (09) 264 4199
- We will only accept referrals with parent or caregiver consent
- Contact us at (09) 265 4000 if you would like to discuss the referral or ask any questions about our service
- Current or imminent care and protection concerns should be referred to Oranga Tamariki: Ministry for Vulnerable Children (previously Child Youth and Family services)
For urgent after-hours support please contact 0800 775 222, or phone (09) 265 4000 at any time.
If you need immediate help call 111
What Happens Next?
- Referrals are received by the Whakatupu Ora duty clinician
- We may contact family members or the referrer for more information. With the family’s consent we may contact other services involved in their care
- If the referral is accepted it will be assigned to a team member who will provide a comprehensive assessment
- If the referral is not accepted alternative community supports or services will be suggested
Services
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Useful Links
If you have any concerns about infant and toddler mental health the following agencies are able to help.… More
Charges
Our service is free of charge for people entitled to free health care in New Zealand.
Document Downloads
- Whakatupu Ora Referral Form (PDF, 269.9 KB)
- Whakatupu Ora Service Brochure (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- Referral criteria (PDF, 303.5 KB)
Parking
Free parking available on-site.
Contact Details
Whirinaki
South Auckland
Phone
(09) 265 4000
Mobile
021 245 3294 (Duty Phone)
Website
For urgent support contact our after hours phoneline on 0800 775 222, or phone (09) 265 4000 at any time.
If you need immediate help call 111.
7 Springs Road
East Tamaki
Auckland 2013
Street Address
7 Springs Road
East Tamaki
Auckland 2013
Postal Address
PO Box 217198
Botany Junction
Auckland 2164
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This page was last updated at 3:22PM on February 24, 2020. This information is reviewed and edited by Counties Manukau Health Whakatupu Ora (Infant Mental Health).