Fortnightly clinics at two Raglan marae have enabled Raglan Medical to engage with some of the most vulnerable members of its Waikato west coast community.

A pilot mental health programme is supporting Waikato tāngata whai ora (people seeking wellbeing) to re-engage in meaningful activities that their mental health challenges had previously made unachievable.

Brian Gallie is looking forward to getting back outside. The Taranaki local talks enthusiastically about the new waterproof gear he just got. “When this rain stops I’m going to go outside and walk around the place, see what I can do.”

The ongoing need for community mental health support is showing no sign of easing and is causing significant demand and strain on the Taranaki Primary Connections – Brief Intervention Service.

The Te Tumu Waiora integrated mental health and wellbeing service has been up and running in general practices in Taupō and Tūrangi since July 2019. The response from practices and the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

Tane Takitu Ake ki Taupō (Men standing strong in Taupō) is a kaupapa Māori six-week program with a focus on Māori men ‘s health with, or at risk of developing, multi-morbidities.

Annually, thousands of youth in communities across the Waikato region struggle to access health care services, restricted by barriers such as cost, lack of transport and fear of talking to a health care professional.