At Emerge Aotearoa, we know how important the relationship is between people and their Peer Support Worker throughout their recovery journey.
Peer Support Workers all have lived experience of mental distress or substance use challenges that have significantly impacted their lives. This insider knowledge they bring means the peer support relationship is often characterised by deep empathy, connection, and sharing of wisdom.
Our peer support services are designed to support each person's individual needs and help them understand the steps they need to take during their recovery to achieve positive outcomes. They also aim to strengthen involvement in the wider community.
Warmline
Warmline is a free and confidential mental health peer support helpline.
It is run by people who have used mental health services themselves and understand how it can feel to experience mental distress.
What people can expect from Warmline:
- Someone to talk to if you feel depressed, anxious, lonely, or overwhelmed by a bad day.
- A warm, listening ear for anyone affected by mental health distress.
- Tips for helping yourself.
- Supportive conversation to discuss any issues or decisions that are affecting you.
- Support for whānau or friends of someone experiencing mental health distress.
- Information about community organisations or resources.
Personal Connections - Skills For Life
Personal Connections & Skills for Life is an Emerge Aotearoa peer service delivered by facilitators who have lived experience of mental distress and/or substance challenges and recovery.
This service can be accessed by anyone within the Capital Coast area, which includes Wellington, Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast who self-identify as experiencing, or having experienced, mental health distress.
Two 12-week programmes are offered: Concrete Jungle and PeerZone. The workshop series explore distress, recovery, and well-being. Participants are supported to explore their personal journey, identify the skills they have and the areas they can develop.
Facilitators actively support and encourage their participants, and nurture the connections between people and their communities. One-to-one peer support is available if needed.
PCSFL services are fully funded and open to anyone who self-identifies as experiencing or having experienced mental health distress. Our Peer Workshop Facilitators will work alongside the participants, other services and navigators.
To make a referral, email personalconnections.referrals@emergeaotearoa.org.nz
Stigma and Discrimination Consultancy Services
Peers lead this service with their lived experience of mental distress and/or substance challenges and recovery.
It addresses the stigma and discrimination of mental distress/substance challenges and works towards our vision of inclusive, vibrant communities. This service can be accessed by anyone within the Capital Coast area, which includes Wellington, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast.
Our workshops are a safe space to explore the impacts of stigmatisation and discrimination, and to expand awareness of mental health. Topics include the history of mental health services; mental distress; and identifying and combating stigma and self-stigma.
Workforce and Community Development
Workshops are available to NGO’s, clinical teams, emergency services, social services, the education sector, community groups or clubs and businesses.
Individual and Personal Growth
We also offer group workshops for those experiencing stigma and/or self-stigma due to mental distress and/or substance challenges. These can be customised to meet the group or individual's unique needs.
Advice and Support
The Stigma and Discrimination Consultant can provide one-to-one support to you or someone you know to counter the experiences of stigma and discrimination; allowing you to have your voice heard, gain access to services or other aspects of the community, and combat self-stigma.
You can use this service to develop thinking and systems to improve service responsiveness and practice, which may include supporting the development of policies and procedures, and ensuring working groups have representation from a stigma and discrimination viewpoint.
To make a referral, email sdcreferral@emergeaotearoa.org.nz
EaseUp
EaseUp is a mobile community-based service that supports young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental wellbeing and/or alcohol and other drug use. The service is offered in the form of short term, brief interventions and is available for youth aged between 12-24 living in Auckland, Waitematā and Waikato.
At EaseUp, Peer Support Workers and Clinicians work in partnership with young people. Holistic support is offered to fit the needs of each young person, which is delivered where they feel most comfortable such as in their home or local park.
Phoenix Centre
The Phoenix Centre is a community-based alcohol and drug assessment and treatment centre, located in Papakura. The centre’s Peer Support Specialists and Clinicians support people on their recovery journey.
The service has been operating since 2011, and has a focus on harm reduction and abstinence, depending on the person's own goals.
The Phoenix Centre is available to adults aged 18 – 65 whose alcohol or drug use is significantly impacting their life. They must be living in the Counties Manukau area.
You can refer yourself to this service or have someone contact us on your behalf.
Talk to us today about the Phoenix Centre by calling 09 296 0983 or email phoenix@emergeaotearoa.org.nz
