Family Works provides a broad range of support services and programmes for South Canterbury Families. In addition to the help we provide directly to clients, these self-help resources and links may help you find out more about many of the challenges facing local families, individuals and the community.
HealthInfo is a health information website, funded by the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) and South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB).
The site is an excellent local resource with comprehensive A-Z links on a wide variety of health conditions and topics. HealthInfo has been written and approved by Canterbury doctors, practice nurses, hospital clinicians and other healthcare professionals. SCDHB has reviewed and updated the information on HealthInfo so that it is specific to South Canterbury.
The website has a mix of health information, including factsheets on different topics and descriptions of local health services and supports. It also has links to recommended websites for further reading and research.
Most people feel down now and then. But when feelings of unhappiness persist, don’t go away when things improve and get in the way of everyday life – this could be depression. Depression is serious and if you or a loved one is depressed, seek help.
Find out more about depression and how to get help for yourself or someone you are concerned about.
Expands into:
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki
Useful contact information, links and general information about depression and how to seek help.
Comprehensive information, support and resources to help those with depression and those concerned about a loved one including:
Other Resources
https://thelowdown.co.nz/
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/
http://headspace.org.au/get-info/depression/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/teenagers-guide-to-depression.htm
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/support/d/depression/
Self harm refers to people deliberately hurting their bodies. Common types of self harm among young people include cutting (e.g. cutting the skin on arms, wrists or thighs), burning the skin, picking at wounds or scars, self hitting, or deliberately overdosing on medication, drugs or other substances that cause harm.
Most self harm is in response to intense emotional pain or a sense of being overwhelmed by negative feelings, thoughts or memories.
For some people it may seem there is no other way of dealing with what is going on, or expressing what they are feeling. Self harm may offer temporary relief but it does not help a person to overcome a problem over time.
Useful resources for those who self harm, and families and friends who want to help.
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
Includes links to resources about self-harm recommended by the South Canterbury District Health Board.
Other Resources
http://headspace.org.au/get-info/self-harm/
http://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/Self-harm.aspx
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/cutting-and-self-harm.htm
If you have had or are having suicidal thoughts, you are not weak, failing or at fault – and you are not alone. Many people find suicidal thoughts hard to talk about. Family and friends can also find it hard to approach the topic with a loved one they are concerned about. If someone is feeling suicidal, they are experiencing more pain then they feel capable of coping with.
If you know someone you suspect is feeling suicidal reach out – you may just save a life.
Useful resources if you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about someone.
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
Select Mental Health and then Suicide Help
Local contacts and links to useful information including:
Other Resources
http://www.spinz.org.nz/
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/suicide-prevention
When worries take over, they can interfere with daily life, make you feel unhappy and reduce your energy. If you are suffering from chronic worry – techniques to calm your brain and regain a more positive perspective can really help.
When anxiety, fears, or panic attacks start to get in the way of your life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Help is at hand – support and techniques that you can easily learn can help you keep anxiety in check, regain control of your life and live in a more positive way.
Useful resources if you would like help with worry or anxiety, or are worried about someone.
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
Select Mental Health and then Anxiety
Local contacts and links to useful information including:
Other Resources
http://headspace.org.au/get-info/anxiety/
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/a/anxiety/
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/p/panic-disorder/
When anger out of control and hurts others, it becomes a problem for you and those around you. Learn what healthy expressions of anger are and how to express your feelings in appropriate and respectful ways.
Useful resources if you would like help with managing anger, or are affected by the uncontrolled anger of someone close to you.
Any behaviour that makes someone else feel controlled and fearful is never OK. Everyone in a family or in a relationship should feel safe and nurtured.
When using a substance or engaging in an activity becomes compulsive, the consequences can be very damaging, with friends, family and colleagues all affected. Learn about the difference between addiction and healthy behaviour, and how to get help for yourself or someone you care about.
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
Select Mental Health and then Alcohol Drugs & Gambling
Local contacts and links to useful information including:
Other Resources
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/a/addiction/
http://headspace.org.au/get-info/category/alcohol-and-other-drugs
It’s often called the most important job there is, but there is no “how to” manual!
Find out about Family Works parenting programmes supporting South Canterbury families to be safe, strong and connected.
Find useful resources and parenting tips.
http://www.parentscentre.org.nz/
Other Resources
Shared or cooperative parenting after a separation is very common these days. Parenting across two households brings its challenges as well as its benefits, as does blending new families after a separation and the development of new relationships.
Find useful information, tips and articles about co-parenting and blended families.
http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/step-parents/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/search?query=blended%20families%20and%20stepfamilies%20section
If parenting is the hardest job you will ever do, single parenting is a challenge that sometimes feels very lonely. Finding support and resources can helkp you get through and be the parent you hope to be!
Links to information, tips and support for single parents.
https://parentingplace.nz/resources/single-parents-we-salute-you
Websites with information specifically for young people.
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/home
http://www.commonground.org.nz/
http://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/teen-issues.htm
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
Select Youth and Teen Health
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/teens-young-adults/
Healthy living topics specific to teens and young adults.
It can be hard to know what to say or do when someone you care about is grieving. While you can’t take away the loss, you can let them know you care and provide comfort and support.
Learn more about coping with your own grief or how you can help someone you care about through the grieving process.
There is a wealth of information online to help you learn more and find pathways to self help. In addition to useful information on mental health, the Mental Health Foundation has links to smartphone apps for self help and other tools.
https://mentalhealth.org.nz/getting-through-together/self-help-tools-and-apps
Other Resources
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/videos/s/self-management/
The practice of mindfulness involves being aware moment-to-moment. Mindfulness supports well-being in many ways and is actively promoted by many health and mental health practitioners. Benefits of Mindfulness include stress reduction, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, assistance with treatment of addiction, support in managing emotions and improvements in general health.
Learn more about Mindfulness and the benefits it can offer you.
https://www.smilingmind.com.au
https://www.stopbreathethink.org.uk/
https://www.headspace.com/how-it-works
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/p/proven-ways-to-keep-your-brain-healthy
Most of us experience a poor night’s sleep from time to time and feel the effects. But longer term sleep problems or insomnia are a more serious health issue and have been linked to increased irritability, low energy, “brain fog”, relationship issues and longer term problems such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
Find out more about sleep problems and how you can get help for yourself or someone you care about.
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/aoraki/
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/sleep-problems/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-disorders-and-problems.htm
At times we can all feel the effects of stress. But being under too much stress for too long can affect not only our performance, but our health and the well-being of those around us.
Learn more about stress including how to manage stress, engage in self-care and support someone you care about who is experiencing stress.
24/7 Sexual harm information and support helpline – Safe to talk: He pai ki te korero
The Helpline can be accessed free by phone, text, website, online chat and email. visit the Safe to talk website for further information
