Exposure to trauma on a regular bases can leave frontline workers stressed and burnout, charity support advocates say.
Those advocates, from national provider Te Kiwi Maia, visited Ashburton recently to provide support to those who serve their communities.
It saw 28 frontline personnel from Hato Hone St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Land Search and Rescue meet in Ashburton for a Talk it Out event at Joe’s Garage.
It was designed as a connection and wellbeing gathering where frontline personnel could get together outside of operational settings.
Co-founder of the organisation Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Reservist Lieutenant Rebecca Nelson said she and other co-founders, RNZN Lieutenant Megan Mashali and RNZN Reservist Captain James Burt, identified a gap in New Zealand for preventive and restorative wellbeing support tailored for those who served on the frontline.
Nelson was inspired to create the organisation after visiting Tedworth House in England run by the charitable organisation Help for Heroes.
When she returned to New Zealand and started talking about her idea, it soon became clear that first responders and emergency services face similar challenges with the wellbeing of their people and would also benefit from this initiative.
One of those attending the breakfast in Ashburton was Hato Hone St John Canterbury group operations manager Ashburton Heather Keele who said they are proud to support the organisation and the services they provide.
“Te Kiwi Maia plays an important role in providing respite and care that aids first responders including our ambulance staff.
‘‘We have had some staff throughout New Zealand participate in Te Kiwi Maia’s wellness weeks with great impact on those who attended,’’ Keele said.
It was a chance for agencies to strengthen relationships, share experiences, and focus on mental wellbeing in a supportive environment.
The gathering was such a success there are plans for future events in Mid Canterbury.
Te Kiwi Ma ¯ia started as a small idea in 2019 has grown into a national charity supporting defence personnel, veterans, first responders and their families around the country.
Frontline workers career and volunteer personnel are regularly exposed to trauma, chronic stress and burnout, but there are limited opportunities for early intervention before individuals reach crisis point.
The organisation works alongside the support offered by the individual organisations. Their focus in on preventive mental health and well being programmes, specialising in structured wellness weeks, delivered through a six-day live in programme, Talk it Out events like the one held in Ashburton and a North and South Island Wellbeing Summit.
Participants for the wellbeing course are referred through their organisations wellbeing team.
‘‘Since it inception we have supported 84 personnel at the wellness weeks. The impact of this extends beyond the individual to positively influencing their families, colleagues and the organisations they serve”, Nelson said.
Many participants have said the programme has been life changing for them because they finally feel understood by people who understand their work.
