Tagged With "NZ Abuse in State Care"
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Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy NZ
The New Zealand Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy https://childyouthwellbeing.govt.nz/resources/child-and-youth-wellbeing-strategy-html For further information, you can visit https://childyouthwellbeing.govt.nz/ Our Prime Minister, Jacinta Adern is currently the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. The following is an excerpt of the Forward to the Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy Our vision for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy is a bold one - that New Zealand be the best place in...
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NZ Office of the Children's Commissioner
In NZ we have the Office of the Children's Commissioner who advocates for the interests and well-being of children and young people in NZ. Currently, the Children's Commissioner is Judge Andrew Becroft They have a number of resources. Visit: https://www.occ.org.nz/our-work/ The Office of the Children's Commissioner is currently monitoring Oranga Tamarki - Ministry FOR Children. https://www.occ.org.nz/about-us/our-role-and-purpose/monitoring/ On 8 June 2020, The Children's Commission also...
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Oranga Tamariki - Ministry FOR Children are trauma-informed but NOT in the way they work
In New Zealand, we have Oranga Tamariki - Ministry FOR Children. This is what Oranga Tamariki state on their webpage: Oranga Tamariki was established on April 1, 2017. We are a Ministry dedicated to supporting any child in New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future. We also work with young people who may have offended, or are likely to offend. Our belief is that in the right environment, with the right people surrounding and nurturing them, any child...
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NZ ~ Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions
The Royal Commission of Inquiry are looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care in Aoteoroa New Zealand between the years 1950-99. They may also listen to survivor experiences before and after these dates. The inquiry is considered to be the largest in the world given its scope and terms of reference Why have an Inquiry? Many people and organisations - survivors, community leaders, iwi and Māori, the Human Rights Commission and the...
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Dame Whina Cooper and the NZ Land March 1975
Peaceful protests can work to bring people together and to raise awareness of concerns. On 13 September 1975, approximately 5000 people marched from Te Hāpua in the North Island down to Wellington. The hīkoi (march) was led by Ngāpuhi leader, Dame Whina Cooper to protest against the loss of Māori land. The hīkoi was one of the first significant protest led by Māori it inspired the rebirth of Māori culture and paved the way for future protests by Māori for Māori. It raised public awareness of...
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Dame Whina Cooper ~ Take care of our children
Dame Whina Cooper ONZ DBE was a Te Rārawa leader and woman of mana, who worked for many years for the rights of Māori, especially Māori women. Born on 9 December 1895 in Pangaru, Northland, NZ and died 26 March 1994. Aotearoa means land of the long white cloud. It is used by many as another name for New Zealand Watch her speak "You can never WIN anything unless you are there to do something" Her quotes include:
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NZ response to second wave of COVID ~ NZ people before the Election
Thursday 13 August 2020 On Tuesday 11 August 2020 at 9.15 pm (New Zealand time), Jacinda Adern announced that 4 people from the same family living in South Auckland had tested positive for COVID. The NZ government led by Jacinda Adern placed Auckland under Alert Level 3 from 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August 2020 and the rest of NZ on Alert Level 2. Auckland is the largest city of NZ with a population of about 1.6 million. It makes up about 33% of the NZ population. Today (Thursday) a further...
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Baby Courts ~ A way forward for our vulnerable children and their whanau in NZ
I joined a Zoom meeting with ACES Connection covering the topic Baby Courts in Florida. Baby Court heals multigenerational trauma by bringing together the science of child development into decision making for infants and toddlers who have been removed from their homes. It also works to prevent children from moving into the child welfare system. Both Mimi Graham and Judge Lynn Tepper speaks about Baby Court Their contact details are: Judge Lynn Teppler: ltepper@jud6.org Mimi Graham:...
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Handbook of Interpersonal Violence across the Lifespan
I found a link to this resource on the ACEs Connection Roundup for this week. This is copied directly from their website. Interpersonal Violence spans the world so it is relevant to us all. Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan is a comprehensive state-of-the-science reference work for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. It is written from a trauma-informed perspective, and utilizes adverse childhood experiences research as its basic developmental framework along...
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Trauma-informed judicial system in NZ and across the world
Kindness in court: a novel approach by Victoria Greening Link this to my previous post regarding Baby Courts is evidence that there is a change in the mindset of those in the judicial sector. Is that happening in NZ? Is it happening fast enough? Act early, Act fast Our children depend on it
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Social Justice series of a Better Normal
ACEs Connection provides a wealth of resources that you can access. Take time to explore Gain access to the ACES Connection Roundup which arrives by email in your inbox Carey Sipp shared the link to a blog which provides access to the Social Justice series. It is time well spent viewing the replays and reading through the attachments Safe Babies Court Team™ Logic Model (1).pdf Florida's Early Childhood Court PPT 8.7.20.pdf Early Childhood Court Manual 4172015.pdf Building a Trauma Informed...
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"Open Wounds" panel discussion with Phil Allen hosted by Trauma Resilience Institute
FOLLOWED BY PANEL DISCUSSION with Phil Allen Jr. Reena Evers-Everette La Shona Coleman Kevin McLeod This has happened you can rent the video To rent "Open Wounds" visit https://vimeo.com/ondemand/openwounds NEW ZEALAND TIME Date: Sunday 23 August 2020 Time: 10 am PACIFIC TIME Date: August 22, 2020 Time: 3.00 pm Registration: Closed ABOUT THE FILM In 1953, my grandfather, Nathaniel Allen, was murdered on the Sampit River in the historic Lowcountry town Georgetown, SC by a gunshot wound to the...
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Intergenerational poverty, racism and trauma in New Zealand
To many, New Zealand looks like and sounds like an island paradise with the world's most charismatic leader. New Zealand is a beautiful country with beautiful people and a beautiful leader. It hides our reality of intergenerational poverty, racism and trauma with high rates of child abuse, child poverty, bullying in schools, suicide and family harm. Maori, the indigenous peoples of NZ and Pacific Peoples are over-represented in those statistics. We have known this for years as have...
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Child poverty in New Zealand
Anita Baker, Mayor of Porirua was on Breakfast this morning (Monday, 24 August NZTime) she shared her concerns about child poverty in Porirua. She based her concerns on a report by the Porirua Council about child poverty. The report was based on statistics collected before COVID. Anita Baker made a call to our governments to tackle child poverty. Her statement includes a link to the report. This is happening across NZ. It is not isolated to Porirua. Important messages that Anita shares with...
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They "think" they know what it is like ~ They don't
Anita Baker, Mayor of Porirua, NZ made the statement when discussing child poverty in NZ : They "think" they know what it is like. They don't In NZ, we have many vulnerable people who are marginalised because of who they are and who they are not. Their culture, their beliefs, their ability, their disability, the colour of their skin, the country they come from, their identity. Kevin McLeod uses the term "otherness". I see "otherness" happening right here in NZ, our paradise in the pacific.
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We learn from the stories from those who have gone before us
Who we were is not who we are now Incarcerated youth need more guidance and support to uncover their inner selves So that they understand who they are and why they do what they have done Then they need guidance and support to learn how to forgive themselves for doing what they believed they had to do to survive. They need to learn how to care and love themselves So that they can care and love others. Books can expose us to the thinking and life journeys of others Books can show us how we can...
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A Better Normal Community Discussion - Reimagining Health Care
In a conversational style, join physician Drew Factor who will speak with Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Liza Guroff and An é Watts in a discussion entitled "Reimagining Health Care". Dr. Gaudet will speak about her experience engaging in transformational change at the Veterans Administration and how this has shaped the development of her own Functional Medicine Institute, while Ms. Guroff and Ms. Watts will speak about their knowledge of a Trauma-Informed Approach both at a systems (National Council for...
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Protected Factor Framework ~ Free introductory webinar
I attended the Protected Factors Framework Introduction webinar with Elizabeth Smith from Project Whole Child. It was a very good presentation. Very interactive, great video clip and great slides There is another free webinar - closing date Wednesday 16 December USA time Places are limited I recommend that you register for this if you want to know more about what you can do to strengthen families. The Protected Factors Framework is an approach ~ a way of viewing the world When we change the...
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Why I joined ACES CONNECTION
Kia ora from Auckland, NZ. My name is Adriana. I am the community manager of trauma-informed NZ with ACES CONNECTION. ACES CONNECTION, is based in the States, far from New Zealand, and our way of life, yet, I am the community manager of a community with ACES CONNECTION Today, I am going to share with you, my reasons for joining ACES CONNECTION. I will make a call for action at the end of my talk, so please stay to the end Why did I join ACES CONNECTION? Here is my story. I live in NZ, always...
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Whole People Watch Weekend on ACEs Connection (Dec. 11th - 13th)
The Transform Trauma with ACEs Sciences FREE Film Festival continues this weekend. Please join us to watch parts 1, 2, and 3 of the PBS Whole People series at your convenience, on ACEs Connection, by clicking play on the videos below: Whole People | 101 | Childhood Trauma | Episode 1 (27 min) Preview: Whole People | 102 | Healing Communities | Preview | Episode 2 Whole People | 102 |Healing Communities Episode 2 (27 min) Whole People | 103 |A New Response | Episode 3 (27 min) This is one of...
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A compelling reason why we need to be child-centered and trauma-responsive in NZ
For those who do not know: Child, Youth and Family Services and Oranga Tamariki are NZ's child protection services. They are a government agency I found this article in the Herald from 2016 , it clearly shows how Oranga Tamariki's predecessors, Child, Youth, and Family Services(CYFS) are incompetent and placed children at risk of harm. Child, Youth, and Family Services were rebranded as Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Children and still they get it wrong. The article Two children aged 8 years...
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Re: New Zealand's first comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of ACES in the NZ population
I hear you calling for care for the whole ecosystem. With and for you @Adriana van Altvorst .
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New Zealand's first comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of ACES in the NZ population
This is NZ's first comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of ACES in the NZ population It shows what many of us have known for years, especially those of us who have been raising our concerns, that NZ has a problem The problem is that our children are facing Adverse Childhood Experiences in NZ especially those who are are Young From low socio-economic backgrounds are Maori It also shows that exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences are significantly associated with exposure to Intimate...
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei For us and our children after us
For social workers in NZ ~ cost $90 A one day Live-Streamed event to explore social work practice with Māori and Pasifika to contribute to your Continuing Professional Development. Speakers Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan - Keynote Address Eugene Ryder - Positive Role Modelling Dr. Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia - ‘Le Va Fealoa’i’: Partnering and collaborating with, and for, Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand Jonelle McNeill & Agnes Kapisi-Sevi - Paiheretanga: Changing the narrative around...
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Re: Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei For us and our children after us
Are you allowed to blog/post/solicit on PACES for pay for (90.00) workshops/conferences/events?
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Re: Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei For us and our children after us
Kia ora @anne kurtz , I believe that we can blog/post on PACES for workshops/conferences/events that cost money as there have been many workshops/conferences/events that have been posted on PACES Connection from a number of communities associated with a cost to attend. The reason that I have promoted this workshop is that here in NZ we need our social workers to improve their practice, especially when working with Maori and Pasifika whanau. As professionals, and this covers every profession,...
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Re: Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei For us and our children after us
Absolutely true, regarding importance of educating M H providers and others in the community of Maori and Pasifika wellbeing models in NZ. There are many who will benefit from this information who are able to pay the asked for registration fee. Often the case, those needing it most, cannot afford the fee. I've often wondered why Maori and Pasifika Indigenous healing practices are not covered by ACC, when Chinese Indigenous - Acupuncture and Medicines are in NZ. All the best in your endeavor.
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New Zealand Human Rights violations known to the United Nations
I have PTSD. It is an invisible disability. It took me years to accept that I had mental health issues and it took longer for me to accept that I was a person with a disability. I have faced layers of trauma from what others have done to me. Those "others" included those who had a responsibility to protect me. They were not just people I loved but people who held positions of power and they were paid and employed by the NZ government to protect me. They did not They effectively used their...
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Re: Listen up NZ government - You need to STOP harming us with urgency
It is not a case of NOT knowing It is a case of NOT doing
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Listen up NZ government - You need to STOP harming us with urgency
NZ Study - School Readiness, Adversities in Childhood Experience and Access to Government Services A Scoping Study on Potential Protective Factors December 2020 This report is based on the NZ context. It is interesting because Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children and the Ministry of Social Development (aka MSD) were involved. This means that both Oranga Tamariki and MSD know about the experiences of our people beyond anecdotal observations. They have in fact done the research. They have...
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Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit public hearing – 14 to 30 June in Auckland
Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit public hearing – 14 to 30 June in Auckland The Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit public hearing will be in Auckland at Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland (entrance from Kingdon st) from 14-30 June. The hearing will focus on evidence about abuse of children and young people in the care of the Child and Adolescent Unit at Lake Alice psychiatric hospital in the 1970s. We will investigate what happened, and why it happened. We are also...
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Re: MARCH FOR OUR CHILDREN, Auckland NZ
Adriana, I was at Aotea Square Saturday listening, would love to have been introduced to you. Anne
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Bad things happen to GOOD people in NZ
Bad things happen to GOOD people I stood behind Sam because I support him You need to as well Sam's story is so unbelievable that you may think it did not happen I can say that I have seen the evidence It is all true It shows how Oranga Tamariki social workers inaccurately labeled Sam based on his appearance and shared that inaccurate information with other agencies to split his family apart while he and his partner were facing the imminent death of their son, Titaha This was an abuse of...
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MARCH FOR OUR CHILDREN, Auckland NZ
March to Save our Children Saturday 26 June 2021 Aotea Square Auckland Central to TVNZ I am Child Advocacy NZ. I am Adriana van Altvorst I stand not as me but as WE Children and whanau have been harmed from those who have been paid by US through our taxes to protect our children. Those with the power to STOP the harm or to ADDRESS that harm. They Know, they have known, they know now BUT still they do not hear our cries for things to change Who are they? Oranga Tamariki Ministry of Education...
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Re: MARCH FOR OUR CHILDREN, Auckland NZ
What’s happening in NZ as a result of COVID, has been outstanding, people opening up, speaking out. Those who have followed the colonial dictate of “Suck it up”, “she’ll be right mate”. The She’s of NZ have not been treated “right”, rape, violence, women’s shelters, homeless-shoeless-doodles children. You are a talented poet, perhaps a poem about Suck It Up NZ would be appropriate at this time? Maybe a T-Shirt? All best, Anne
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Re: MARCH FOR OUR CHILDREN, Auckland NZ
I wish we did meet up...we can still meet up...we both live in Auckland...
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NZ Family Courts are harming our people and our future
I am making a call for action to all who read my post Please share this video to raise awareness across the globe Through my role as an advocate, I have seen evidence from many parents facing our NZ Family Courts that our Family Courts are worse than what is shared on the video. Change is needed with urgency Please email our NZ government to make change with urgency Jacinda Adern - NZ Prime Minister - jacindaadern@labour.org.nz Kris Faafoi - Minister for Justice -...
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#LETMEBE
Kia ora to all, In response to a call for support from a mother who has had her young daughter taken away from her based on inaccurate information, the hearsay of others and judgement by lawyers and judges in the NZ Family Court, I am asking you to join with me in a campaign that she has started here in NZ Here is her post on Facebook: Melissa Stewart I may have screwed up as a girlfriend, wife, Mum and sometimes as a daughter or as a friend, because I don't always say or do the "right...
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Whatever I have ~ Empower me with KNOWLEDGE and TOOLS
In response to a comment to a post Misdiagnosis: Is It Bipolar Disorder or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder , I made this comment. I believe it could HELP others I agree that the two overlaps and may co-exist hence why it is so very important to access a full history of life experiences from the person. The difficulty of course is that the person has often lost trust with people including those who want and can help. That is why TIME is so important - TIME to build a trusting...
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Social and Emotional Supports for Educators During and After the Pandemic
Americanprogress.org released an article 'Social and Emotional Supports for Teachers During and After the Pandemic' giving a ton of great information on the stress that educators deal with regularly. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning defines SEL as the process where youth and adults learn skills to manage emotions, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible decisions. "Research by Pennsylvania State University found that teachers who...
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5 ways of helping ease the stress from 2020 in children
Hechingerreport.org released an article giving five ways of helping ease the stress from 2020 in children. Be responsive - By engaging in conversation with children, it helps to stimulate their brain. This is especially important for the first 3 years of a child's life. Share information - "Being transparent with kids, at an appropriate level for their age, can help lessen anxiety kids may feel" Help children share their feelings - Children tend to show their feelings which can lead to...
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What is the Freeze Response from Dr. Aimie, Trauma Healing Accelerated
This arrived in my Gmail inbox from Dr. Aimie ~ Trauma Healing Accelerated. I am sharing as it may resonate with someone out there What is The Freeze Response? The pattern of stress and then collapse. High energy and then exhausted. Anxiety followed by heaviness and feeling down. If you identify with this up and down pattern, you may likely be experiencing a chronic freeze response. This is a very common pattern of the biology of the nervous system! The freeze response is one of the states...
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Maternal Voice reduces pain in premature babies
Notice and read this article: Maternal Voice Reduces Pain in Premature Babies Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Pain August 27, 2021 This is especially for all employees of Oranga Tamariki (Child protection services in NZ), NZ Family Court judges, and NZ Lawyers for Children Get informed with scientific evidence Work harder at getting trauma-responsive Babies need to be kept with their mothers at birth, from birth and onwards If you want the best for our children...
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Charlotte Hardy
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The danger of Flashbacks
The danger of flashbacks is that once you are back there, You can get stuck and Never find a way out. That is why we need strategies To find our way out again When you are with a person especially children who are facing flashbacks Please show us kindness and compassion And if you have absolutely no idea about what I am saying Please educate yourself If there is anything that is going to help us ALL to get unstuck Is empathy and that means EVERYONE knows about trauma and what it is like...
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My best friend is myself
A friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. That friend is me Make sure you do self-care and build your resilience First me then the world Have a great day
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Whakarongo mai whānau!
Listen to me! Bad things happen to good people in NZ Many families in New Zealand have been ruthlessly torn apart and desecrated by Oranga Tamariki, harming the very children they were tasked to protect. There are many horrific stories that are hidden away from the general public because parents and children are so traumatized that they cannot speak up. They cannot share what they have experienced because it is so painful for them to do so. Some parents do speak up. They are neither seen nor...
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CYFS continue to children from their parents as a first resort with limited evidence
I have changed the name to CYFS as they desecrate Maori and ALL that is Maori. They do not deserve to carry a Maori name. This post is especially for all Child, Youth, and Family Services (child protection services in NZ) social workers and Family Court judges Whanau and the child are one Removal of children from their whanau is the last resort Removal from their birth mother is the last resort Kelvin Davis told us that CYFS would only remove children from their parents as a last resort...
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I have PTSD - That does not mean I can't be a good parent
Through my work as an advocate, I have met many people who, like me, have PTSD. I have PTSD because people made the choice to hurt me so bad that I now live with that every day. I live with trauma. The thing is I survived. I made the decision to pick myself up, to stand again, reset and keep moving forward. I now face many, many people including professionals who believe, erroneously, that I am my trauma. This is especially true in NZ because, in my country that I love so much, far too many...
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Lake Alice ~ What New Zealand did to their own
(Blog image of Paul Zentveld - Lake Alice abuse survivor) Read this NZ Stuff article by Aaron Smale I ask that you reflect on your definition of mental health Your definition of mental health will determine how you respond to people with mental health The term "mental health" does not need to change Our perceptions, our definition, our response to the term "mental health" needs to change. Once I said that we need to take away the term "mental health" and replace it with another term. I...