MHERC - Mental Health Education & Resource Centre

23/09/2025

On Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting some of the amazing Rātā Foundation team for a wellbeing training session with our wonderful facilitator, Sharon Bennett.

We love the incredible mahi your team does and admire how you prioritise wellbeing, not just within your team, but for the wider community as well. 💛🙌

If your team could benefit from a wellbeing workshop, we're here to help. Reach out to our team for a chat!

18/09/2025

Dr Chris Taua is a passionate educator and experienced mental health professional. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from her expertise in these popular upcoming workshops!

🟡 Effective Communication to Manage Distress: De-escalation Techniques
☑️ Gain confidence in managing distress and aggression, and develop strategies for self-control.
🔗 REGISTER NOW - https://tinyurl.com/2vmwzz7t

🟠 Beyond the Label: Understanding Mental Health Diagnoses and What They Mean for People
☑️ Explore mental diagnosis and conditions, including mood disorders, psychosis, and anxiety disorders.
🔗 REGISTER NOW - https://tinyurl.com/y9cxm6j4

🔴 Boundaries and Ethics in Health and Community Settings
☑️ Develop an understanding of significant ethics and boundaries concepts and explore an ethical dilemma problem-solving framework.
🔗 REGISTER NOW - https://tinyurl.com/3y8bb35x

15/09/2025

It’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) and this year marks its 50th anniversary! 🖤🤍❤️

Did you know our library has some fantastic resources in Te Reo Māori, along with materials on biculturalism in mental health, education, and everyday life?

Explore more about Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and find ways to learn and get involved: www.reomaori.co.nz

11/09/2025

Do you want to increase your understanding of rainbow diversity? 🏳️‍🌈 This FREE interactive educational group will explore rainbow diversity, how to be a supportive ally, and how we can promote healthy inclusive environments for rainbow people in Aotearoa.

Each session will explore a different topic and provide an opportunity to ask questions, share information and connect with others.

This series starts on 18 September and runs weekly on Thursdays for 5 weeks.

🌈 Reserve your spot now! https://tinyurl.com/45n3p2ha

FACILITATORS: Vicky Wood has over 20 years experience in the social services sector in both New Zealand and Scotland. Tasha Wood is a senior registered nurse with 17 years experience in clinical practice and nursing education. They are both proud members of the rainbow community.

PARTICIPATION: While sharing and active participation (via video or audio) is encouraged, participants may attend with their camera off and listen without involvement if they choose.

PRIVACY: Sessions and registration details are private and confidential. By attending, participants must agree to keep attendee's details and stories that are shared confidential.

10/09/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day, with this year's theme "Change the Narrative." 💛 Changing the narrative on su***de is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

Visit the MHERC Library or eLibrary for resources designed to support deeper understanding on this topic - https://mherc.org.nz

***deprevention ***depreventionday

09/09/2025

Help people find their own motivation for change! ✨Health professional Sharon Bennett will introduce you to the essential mindset and skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI).

You’ll learn how to better connect with people, build their confidence in change, and guide them toward their own goals, without pressure or resistance.

Explore the MI process (engage, focus, evoke, plan) and core tools like OARS (open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries) that support real, sustainable behaviour change.

🗓️ Thursday 18 September 2025, 9.00am – 4.00pm
📍 Attend in-person at MHERC (Christchurch)
🎓 Introductory Level
🥗 Includes refreshments and light lunch
🔗 Spaces are limited - REGISTER NOW! https://tinyurl.com/yc2cpz58

05/09/2025

What does Te Tiriti o Waitangi mean for your work in healthcare? This introductory workshop is a safe and welcoming space to explore the foundational document of Aotearoa through a practical healthcare lens.

Whether you’re new to Te Tiriti or looking to embed it more meaningfully in your practice, Lee Tuki will guide you with insight, humility and deep experience.

Together, we’ll explore common myths and facts, reflect on current practice, and find opportunities to strengthen equity and honour Te Tiriti in real, actionable ways.

🗓️ Tuesday 16 September, 9.00am – 12.00pm,
📍Attend live online or in-person at MHERC (Christchurch)
🎟 $119 incl. GST
👥 Ideal for healthcare practitioners, support workers, and services wanting to grow culturally responsive, Tiriti-aligned practice.

Register today to reserve your place! https://tinyurl.com/4838j9jp

03/09/2025

LIMITED PLACES LEFT🚨 Research tells us that a support network is one of the strongest protective factors for maternal mental health.

This series will include discussion on key topics around maternal mental health and wellbeing, with practical education, resources, and space to share weekly challenges and highlights.

TOPICS:
🩷 Why motherhood feels so heavy
💚 An introduction to matrescence
🩷 Parental sleep
💚 Relationships and the mental load
🩷 Emotional regulation
💚 Your evolving identity

This six-week series is FREE - register your place now! https://tinyurl.com/TTOmotherhood

Group is open to mothers of babies under two years old.

27/08/2025

24/08/2025

Join Dr Annie Southern to gain insight into the experiences of autistic people - beyond myths, stereotypes, and traditional medical frameworks.

Explore social communication, processing, sensory and wellbeing issues that autistic individuals may face in a world set up for neurotypical people.

🔸 Develop an understanding on autism and explore stereotypes and myths
🔸Explore autistic culture and experience in depth
🔸Look at wellbeing issues for autistic people
🔸Critically reflect and critique what we know about autism
🔸Learn about and explore experiences of autism from a lived experience facilitator
🔸Explore how we can be allies and supporters

🗓️ Wednesday 3 September 2025, 12.30pm - 4.30pm
📍Attend live online or in-person at MHERC (Christchurch)
🎟 $149 incl. GST
👥 Suitable for allies/supporters, professionals, whānau, and those exploring their own neurodiversity

Reserve your place now! https://tinyurl.com/3a8sjstn

18/08/2025

📝 Clear, accurate and respectful documentation is an essential part of supporting people with mental health conditions. In this practical workshop Dr Chris Taua will guide you through how to write notes that truly reflect the person’s voice, perspective and wishes, while meeting legislative and workplace requirements.

🗓️ Friday 29 August 2025, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
💻 Attend in-person at MHERC (Christchurch)
🔗 Reserve your spot now - https://tinyurl.com/2nrfbv33

04/12/2024

Are you looking for practical strategies to manage anxiety and build resilience? Join our free online ‘Tools for Managing Anxiety’ series led by experienced mental health professional Dr. Chris Taua.

These interactive, educational sessions are designed to help you:
• Understand anxiety and its patterns
• Challenge anxious thoughts
• Develop healthy coping strategies
• Embrace mindfulness

💻 Participate at your comfort level – choose whether or not to have your camera turned on or to interact during the session.

📅 Weekly sessions start Tuesday 14 January 2025, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Register now to secure your spot – tinyurl.com/2kzjmhem

Please note: this is a non-clinical, educational service.