Engage Aotearoa

Learn a Waiata on Youtube

Do you wish you knew the words to join in singing waiata at events?

Here are a few clips from Youtube to get you started with some of the classics…

Recent Additions to Te Pou’s Online Research Library

Some recent additions to Whare Pukapuka, the database of New Zealand mental health research at Te Pou

Updates to the Mobility Parking Scheme: What You Need to Know

The mobility parking permit scheme is getting a spruce up!

CCS Disability Action has looked at ways in which they can improve the Mobility Parking Permit Scheme in consultation with mobility parking users.

As a result of this consultation, we’re pleased to announce the upcoming changes. We believe as a result the scheme will be fairer and more transparent for all.

Changes

Everyone with an existing permit will still be able to continue to use it, but you will notice changes in the scheme and in permits issued from early December this year.

Fairer eligibility

A number of people told CCS Disability Action that the current eligibility criteria are confusing. As a result of a review CCS Disability Action also felt that there were people who were missing out who had a genuine need, particularly people who require intensive behaviour support that could really benefit from being able to use designated mobility parking spaces.

You will be eligible if you meet the following criteria:

  1. You are unable to walk and always require the use of a wheelchair; or
  2. Your ability to walk distances is severely restricted by a medical condition or disability. If for example, you require the use of mobility aids, experience severe pain, or breathlessness; or
  3. You have a medical condition or disability that requires you to have physical contact or close supervision to safely get around and cannot be left unattended. For example, if you experience disorientation, confusion, or severe anxiety.

Changes to the criteria will make it clearer for people to determine if they are eligible, making the application process easier for all users.

Applying for a permit

To apply for a short-term permit, an extension on a short-term permit or a long-term permit for the first time you will need to get your doctor to confirm your eligibility by completing the medical section of the application form. However if you are renewing your long-term permit – as it was confirmed by your doctor in the application for your first long-term permit that you have a medical condition or disability which affects your mobility and is long-term (permanent); you do not have to provide any additional medical information.

From early December there will be a new application form that will be easier to download from the website www.MobilityParking.org.nz.

Only some of the branch offices will be processing applications received by post – these are listed on the application form. While you will still be able to take your application into your local branch and pay for your permit, the permit will not be issued to you over the counter. Your permit will be sent to you within 5 working days from the date that they receive your application and payment.

New look permit brings greater accountability

Everyone with an existing permit will still be able to continue to use it, but those issued with a new permit from early December will notice a completely new look.

The new permit is in CCS Disability Action colours (green, black and white) and will have the expiry date (month and year) printed on it. The permit will also include a barcode and permit number that will allow parking wardens to scan for real time information, similar to current vehicle licensing technology.

It’s hoped these technological improvements will result in a fairer scheme for all, supporting faster identification of those lost and stolen permits in circulation.

Further changes

In the first half of 2013 CCS Action will be introducing the facility for people to apply and pay for a mobility parking permit online! Keep an eye out on the website for more information on this as it comes to hand.

Contact Sara Georgeson

Mobility Parking Permit Scheme Project Manager

CCS Disability Action , National Office

TEL    04 384 5677
DDI    04 805 0080   MOB  021 1903 786

EML Sara.Georgeson@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz www.MobilityParking.org.nz

New Open Access Research Articles on BMC Psychiatry

The following research papers have recently been published online at BMC Psychiatry

Research article
Prevention of anxiety disorders in primary care: A feasibility study
Batelaan NM, Smit JH, Cuijpers P, van Marwijk HW, Terluin B, van Balkom AJ

BMC Psychiatry 2012, 12:206 (22 November 2012)
[Abstract] [Provisional PDF]

Research article
Influence of contact with schizophrenia on implicit attitudes towards schizophrenia patients held by clinical residents
Omori A, Tateno A, Ideno T, Takahashi H, Kawashima Y, Takemura K, Okubo Y

BMC Psychiatry 2012, 12:205 (22 November 2012)
[Abstract] [Provisional PDF]

Research article
The association between parental history of diagnosed mood/anxiety disorders and psychiatric symptoms and disorders in young adult offspring
Low NC, Dugas E, Constantin E, Karp I, Rodriguez D, O’Loughlin J

BMC Psychiatry 2012, 12:188 (5 November 2012)
[Abstract] [Provisional PDF]

Research article
Specialist prescribing of psychotropic drugs to older persons in Sweden – a register-based study of 188 024 older persons
Martinsson G, Fagerberg I, Wiklund-Gustin L, Lindholm C

BMC Psychiatry 2012, 12:197 (13 November 2012)
[Abstract] [Provisional PDF]

Goodbye Disability Resource Centre, Hello Independent Living Service

The Disability Resource Centre has changed its name to the “Independent Living Service (ILS)”.

Disability Resource Centre Auckland was originally founded in 1981 as the Independent Living Centre.  Some years later there was a name change to the Disability Resource Centre.  The original name better reflects the purpose and philosophy of the organisation to empower those with disabilities to live a good life.  A name change to The Independent Living Service is timely and honours the organisation’s roots and those in the community that started it.

Administrative Matters:

This is a name change only and not a change in our legal/charitable structure or status.  This makes the change very easy on all fronts and will not require new contracts, accounts or legal documentation.

  • The official change-over date was Monday 5th November
  • Email addresses changed on Friday 19th October and are first name@ilsnz.org
  • The Mobile Service changed from DRC Mobile to ILS Mobile with the web address www.ilsmobile.org
  • Their new web address is www.ilsnz.org and was live from Friday 19thOctober. However you  will be directed to www.disabilityresource.org.nz until all changes are complete.
  • All existing phone numbers and addresses remain the same.
  • Please contact Julianne McEldowney for new brochures on julianne@ilsnz.org

New Bilingual Recovery Stories up on Kai Xin Xing Dong Website

Strive to do your best but understand there is no perfect parent

MEDIA RELEASE: Mental Health Foundation of NZ

19 November

It is 10 ten years since Kelly first arrived at Auckland airport to make New Zealand her home. Now she is a mother of two lovely daughters, one of them a Dragon Baby.

Kelly is also a full time worker, a wife, daughter and chair of Baby Ferns Inc– and sometimes this is stressful.

“I am so thankful for the support and love my mother gave to me. On the other hand, I have to acknowledge it’s not always easy to live in a household with three generations.”

Kelly’s story is the final is a series run by Kai Xin Xing Dong – the Mental Health Foundation’s bilingual English-Mandarin Like Minds, Like Mine programme. The series highlights the challenges Chinese parents face bringing up their newborn “dragon babies” in New Zealand society.

The Mental Health Foundation understands that new parents need help and support and, sometimes, just by knowing where to find these can be all you need to feel more confident. We hope by reading these parents’ stories people will not feel so alone. The stories also give lots of practical advice for the first years of a child’s life and beyond. They also touch on post natal depression and where to get help.

The Mental Health Foundation also supplies an excellent free postnatal depression pamphlet for English speakers.

The end of the Dragon Baby series coincides with Postnatal Awareness Week 17-25 November, and the series as a whole was launched at the same time as the Chinese Mental Health Consultation Services’ new Vagus helpline.

All stories are published online in English and Mandarin.

Vagus Line 0800 56 76 666

This new service is to promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence. It provides free, confidential and professional advice, such as parenting strategies and communication skills. If necessary, clients can be referred to Vagus counselling services or related resources. Service hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12 noon to 2pm.

Year of the Dragon 

2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon and has given rise to the phrase “dragon baby” for families expecting a new arrival. The dragon is the mightiest zodiac sign in Chinese astrology, and is associated with traits such as success, ambition and independence. Many mothers consider this to be a particularly auspicious year to give birth. In recognition of this, we have made a special Dragon Baby section on the Kai Xin Xing Dong website, where we offer Chinese language information for new and expectant mothers.

Kai Xin Xing Dong 

Kai Xin Xing Dong is a Like Minds, Like Mine public education programme aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by Chinese people who experience mental illness. The project is funded by the Ministry of Health and guided by the Kai Xin Xing Dong Advisory Group.

For more information please contact: 

Paula Taylor
Communications & Marketing Manager
09 300 7025
021 300 594
paula@mentalhealth.org.nz

For comment in Mandarin, please contact: 

Ivan Yeo
Mental Health Promoter
Ph: (09) 300 7017
027 2808 972
ivan@mentalhealth.org.nz

http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/kaixinxingdong/page/501-a-to-z+dragon-babies+parents-stories+kelly-feng

Promoting Participation in General Elections for People with Disabilities

The Ministry of Social Development is looking to improve accessibility of elections processes for people with disabilities.

A consultation document has just been released, with responses due by 14 December. Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.elections.org.nz/study/disability-resources/promoting-participation-in-general-elections-for-disabled-people.html

There’s an accessible Word format document at the above url.

The Ministry of Health’s New Model: what families need to know

Seminar  “Choice & Control – The New Model, what families need to know”.

The Parent & Family Resource Centre and Imagine Better invite you to a free workshop to discuss aspects of the Ministry of Health’s proposed New Model for supporting people with disabilities, and how this will affect families.

These workshops will run on the following dates and venues:

North Auckland

Monday 26 November 6.30 – 9.30pm

YES Disability Resource Centre

3 William Laurie Place, Albany

West Auckland

Monday 3 December 6.30 – 9.30pm

Integrated Neurological Rehabilitation Foundation, 2 Claude Brookes Drive, Henderson

South Auckland

Wednesday 5 December 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa

Central Auckland

Wednesday 12 December 9.30am – 12.30pm

Independent Living Service (formerly DRC)

14 Erson Ave, Royal Oak

Light refreshments will be available at the start of the workshop and families will receive a workshop pack including some presentation notes.

To book onto this free workshop, please contact Lisa at Parent & Family Resource Centre on 09 636-0351 or lisa@pfrc.org.nz

Please advise if you have specific accessibility requirements or if you require a sign language interpreter.

Click here to view the flier as Word document

click here  to view the flier as pdf.

Eden and Women’s Health Action Trust join forces

For 22 years Eden has worked at the forefront of our community’s efforts to create a world which values body trust, body satisfaction, size acceptance and diversity. In response to the present funding climate, Eden has entered a process of transition to ensure the sustainability of Eden’s unique and valued services and programmes.

Eden is separating its two key service areas: counselling/support services and health promotion. The counselling and support services have been absorbed by Eden’s specialist counselling team into their private practice work. This redirection will enable clients to retain an ongoing level of care with as little disruption as possible. Please see www.eden.org.nz for referral details.

Eden has developed its health promotion activities over the past 14 years focusing on supporting and educating health professionals, organisations and schools to create environments that support body satisfaction, size acceptance and body diversity. In order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of this valuable work, Eden’s health promotion services will be moving to Women’s Health Action Trust. Eden will retain its brand identity and fit under the Women’s Health Action Trust umbrella. These health promotion services include BWISE – BILS programme in schools, Nourish – aimed at people working with youth and our yearly events, Love you Body campaign and Diet Free Day.

The Women’s Health Action team is excited to carry on the legacy of Eden’s work and is looking forward to employing a health promoter early in the New Year.

While Eden will cease to operate in its current form and location, this change will offer the potential for the future growth and sustainability under the banner of Women’s Health Action. Eden is very grateful for the continued support of their funders who have pledged support for Eden’s new journey.

Eden’s board would like to thank all the staff, volunteers and stakeholders who have been involved over the past 22 years and who have been instrumental in supporting individuals and families, resourcing and educating health practitioners and communities and advocating for a view of health that is indexed to well-being rather than weight.  While it is with sadness that this era of Eden comes to an end there is also a renewed excitement at the strength and opportunity that is gained by joining forces with such a vibrant and impactful organization as Women’s Health Action.

For further information about Eden’s health promotion activities please contact Women’s Health Action on 09 520 5295.

Contact details: 
Eden Board Member (Toni Ingram) p 021 152 2137
Women’s Health Action Director (Julie Radford-Poupard) p 09 520 5295 or 021 989 745

Big White Wall Radio Interview 20 November 2012

What is the Big White Wall, how can it help emotional wellbeing, how does it work, and who will it benefit? Hear the answers to these questions on Take It From Us tomorrow (Tuesday 20 November) with Robert Ford, Auckland District Health Board planning & funding manager, who will tell us about this “Kiwi first.”

Listen live on 104.6FM at 12.30pm or online www.planetaudio.org.nz

OR if you missed the broadcast, listen for the next seven days @: www.planetaudio.org.nz/takeitfromus

Catch up on the last four shows online: www.likeminds.org.nz

And don’t forget the new Facebook page @ Facebook.com and type ‘take it from us’ in the search box

Email  takeitfromus@mail.com for any feedback and comment/suggestions for shows.