Take time to kōrero this week

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 27 September-3 October and aims to improve community awareness and interest in mental health and wellbeing.

A focus on mental wellbeing is especially important for Fire and Emergency as responding to emergencies can be as psychologically demanding as it is physically and the nature of our work means many of our people can be exposed things that others would not normally ever experience.

That’s why this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to take time to kōrero and connect with each other, to create space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

Join the conversation

Brendan Nally and Kerry Gregory, alongside a panel of experts, will be hosting two live video conferences on 29 September to discuss the psychological demands our people face, advice on what to look out for and the support available for you. You should have received invites for these – if you haven’t, please email communications@fireandemergency.nz or join using the links below on the day.

Join our 12.00pm video conference(external link)

Join our 6.30pm video conference(external link)

The M.A.N.E.R.S model

We have launched a new module on the learning station, the M.A.N.E.R.S model. This includes information on the psychological first aid model and videos on how it has been implemented by our people to support their wellbeing in various situations. By completing the module you’ll learn about the M.A.N.E.R.S model, how it’s used and how it benefits you or someone else experiencing a traumatic incident.

You can complete the module on the Learning Station now(external link).

Resources to support you and your whānau

We have a number of psychological support options available for you and your whānau. This includes free counselling, professional psychological support and peer support. For more information on what we have available, please visit the Portal(external link) or download our new resource for your whānau [, 1.2 MB].

We also have psychological first aid modules available on the Learning Station(external link), including an introduction to Critical Incident and Personal Stress Support(external link) and the MANERS model(external link). These support your wellbeing and resilience. 

It’s okay not to be okay and know that there is support available through Fire and Emergency.

Please join us this week by taking time to kōrero – a little chat can go a long way.