SUPP Service Whanganui

21/12/2025

Look what I found! See if you can spot our Paul and Sam!

21/12/2025

We heard epic feedback following the last camp. Sign up quick if you're keen!

19/12/2025

When the marks don’t show .

Mia (not her real name) didn’t see any bruises in the mirror the next morning. That was the part that confused her. Her throat ached. Her voice felt wrong. Her thoughts were slow, as though they were wading through mud. But her skin? Untouched.

Later, she would learn that what happened to her has a name: Non-Fatal Strangulation and Suffocation. A violent act that cuts off oxygen and blood flow to the brain, often without leaving a single visible mark.

Most people expect bruising. Most people miss the internal injuries when the external injuries aren’t there.

What happened to Mia is far more common than most realise. Last year, in Whanganui alone, 212 people came to our hospital because of intimate partner or interfamilial violence. In 64 of those cases, strangulation or suffocation was involved. Nationally, most family violence is never reported at all - around 67% goes unreported.

Only 33% of family violence is reported.

Mia didn’t report it to Police. Many don’t. But she did go to ED. That choice mattered.

A clinician checked her breathing, her voice, her neurological signs. She learned that a loss of consciousness, or even bladder or bowel control, can be a sign of how close to death someone has come. She learned that concussion, confusion, and even stroke can follow in the hours or days after. And she learned she wasn’t alone.

Before she left the hospital, staff told her something important: There’s a specialist Post Non-Fatal Strangulation and Suffocation assessment, offered around 10 days after the event - only Police can make the referral, and only with consent. No statement required. No pressure. Just another layer of care if she wanted it.

Mia also learned she didn’t have to explain anything to her workplace if she needed time. Every New Zealander has a legal right to up to 10 days of domestic violence leave. There are national helplines ready to guide people through this, gently and confidentially.

Maybe someone reading this has lived through something like Mia. Maybe there were no marks. Maybe there was fear. Maybe there was silence.

You are allowed to seek help. You deserve medical care. You deserve safety.

• If you’re in danger, call 111.
• If you arrive at ED and say you’re not safe, we will help you.
• 24/7 help is also available: Phone 0508 SHINE or 0800 733 843 (Women’s Refuge).

10/12/2025

01/10/2025

Mental Health Awareness Week next week! Ngā Tai o te Awa are celebrating with basketball. Head down and check it out.

Kia ora e te whānau! 🏀💛

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re opening the courts at Springvale Stadium for our tamariki & rangatahi to come together, have fun, and connect through basketball.

Monday 6th & Friday 10th October
6–8PM
Springvale Stadium

This is a free, safe space for our young people to get active, build confidence, and enjoy the game. 🏀
Note: U12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Scan the QR code on the poster to register or use the link below ✅
https://forms.office.com/r/XBGmqfy5sK?origin=lprLink

Brought to you by:
Whanganui Basketball
Ngā Tai o Te Awa
MHAW – Mental Health Awareness Week

Let’s celebrate hauora, connection, and kotahitanga on and off the court.

22/07/2025

Great opportunity to have your say...

We're helping our friends over at Ministry of Health out by sharing this opportunity for some 💸 paid mahi!

❤️‍🩹 They want to form a Youth Advisory group to help them with their Child & Youth Mental Health Study.

They're looking for:
✨ rangatahi aged 16-24 years old

Rangatahi will be:
🧠 giving advice on their mahi
🧠 drafting questionnaires
🧠 helping with study topics
🧠 paid for your opinion (basically lol) 💸💸

📱For more information and to apply, head here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=JMfOIyBt0Uuf6dxER-3R-kON55T2TGhFuBBrVgoDeS9UMVpDQUZLVEFJMVk4Q1QxSUFGQzIzNFdIMi4u&route=shorturl

15/07/2025

Today SUPP were at Moawhango School, a rural school near Taihape. We were there to talk to the students about va**ng.

The welcome was great, the questions and comments were great, and the weather was perfect!

Public Health Nurse Narisa was also there to lend a hand.

30/06/2025

16/06/2025

25/05/2025

Come and say hi! We'll be at Springvale for most of the afternoon. The colour run is about to start, get down here.