Access & Choice Service

Programme Areas

Self help/ helpline, Mental health, Maternal & infant - mental health & addictions, Addictions - drug & alcohol, Kaupapa Māori, Pacific People

Programme Type

Helpline / self-help - mental health, Community / social support (AOD), Kaupapa Māori (AOD), Pacific People (AOD), Coexisting problems – mental health & addictions, Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support, Community based support - mental health, Advocacy / group / family whānau support (AOD), Non-acute specialist mental health community services, Eating disorders, Kaupapa Māori - mental health, Maternal mental health – clinical teams, Maternal mental health - community support, Pacific People - mental health, Refugee / migrant

Regions

MidCentral

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, GP, DHB clinical services

Referral Process

There are a number of ways you can connect with the service

1. Talk to your health provider (GP, practice nurse, Māori health provider) and ask them to put you in touch with the service
2. You can get in touch with us directly using the form here
3. Pop in to a clinic where our teams are based and ask to speak to a Matanga Whai Ora

Unlike some other talking therapy services, you can normally talk to one of our team on the same day you ask for help.

There is no referral criteria, and our teams are based in general practice, Iwi & Māori health providers and community locations right across the district so there's always someone close to you, wherever you are.

Description

Sometimes it is common to feel like life is getting on top of you.  Reaching out for help doesn’t need to be scary.  The Te Ara Rau Access & Choice Team can work alongside you to support you and your whānau’s wellbeing.   

Support we offer:

• Our service is free of charge
• Primary mental health & addiction support
• Located in GP, Iwi & Māori Health providers and community locations
• Walk in service in GP settings

Mātanga Whai Ora (Health Improvement Practitioner)
These are health professionals who you can talk to about whatever is having an impact on your health and wellbeing. They are experienced in helping people explore issues and coming up with options around how to tackle some of these challenges and they can support you to make the changes you want to your life. They assist with:

• Seeing people of all ages and at all stages of their lives
• Helping with any type of issue related to behaviour change or mental wellbeing
• Providing immediate support when presenting to a GP clinic or referral can be via THINK Hauora
• Providing education to other team members regarding mental wellbeing and addiction support

A typical consultation with a health improvement practitioner will take about 30 minutes. If you require further support then alternative options will be discussed with you.

Kaiwhakapuaki Waiora, Health Coaches and Peer Navigators
Kaiwhakapuaki Waiora, Health Coaches and Peer Navigators are able to link you in with various services and support available in our rohe. They assist with:

• Emotional and mental wellbeing
• Managing long-term conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol etc.
• Managing stress
• Eating habits/or exercise
• Becoming smokefree
• Cutting back on your alcohol intake
• Connecting with your whānau
• Isolation- re-connecting with your community

They have the flexibility to see you at the GP clinic, as well as in the community, or in your own home.