Community mental health support — Canterbury Ngā kaitautoko hauora hinengaro ā-hapori

Community mental health support workers in Canterbury help people experiencing mental health challenges to improve their health and wellbeing so they can thrive in their communities. They work alongside individuals and whānau to create personalised plans using a holistic approach that supports independence, connection and long-term wellness.

On this page

What community mental health support workers do

Community mental health support workers deliver person-centred and whānau-centred support. They work together with other providers and services, including:

  • healthcare providers
  • Māori health providers
  • drug and alcohol services
  • housing and community organisations.

They help people living in their own home to:

  • develop routines for daily living and health needs
  • build relationships with whānau, friends and community groups
  • connect with meaningful work, education or social activities
  • provide support to manage finances and home responsibilities
  • take practical steps toward independence and wellness, including creating a plan to achieve this.

Finding a community mental health support worker

If your healthcare provider believes you will benefit from having a community mental health support worker, they will refer you to the service. You must also meet the following criteria:

  • be aged 18 or over
  • have experience of mental health or alcohol or other drug issues
  • live in Canterbury.

Organisations that provide community mental health support in Canterbury include:

Your personal information

When a healthcare provider arranges for you to see another healthcare provider, they complete a referral. A referral introduces you to the other person and explains why you are being referred.

Your healthcare provider includes relevant information about you with the referral. They send it to the community mental health support service coordinator.

Representatives of the community support services organisations then look at your referral. They do this at their weekly meeting. This makes sure you are seen by the community services that can best help your recovery.

Only member organisations are eligible to attend these meetings. Staff comply with the Privacy Act and the Health Information Privacy Code. Your information is only shared to benefit your health and wellbeing.

Privacy Act 2020 — Privacy Commissionerexternal link

Health Information Privacy Code 2020 — Privacy Commissionerexternal link

If you do not want your information to be shared in this way, you can choose a provider from the list above. You must also tell the healthcare provider who referred you to the service.