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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUwumKCW7M

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ZOOM TUTORIAL | How To Use Zoom STEP BY STEP For Beginners! [COMPLETE GUIDE]

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https://mentalhealth.org.nz/five-ways-to-wellbeing

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing, Ētahi ara e rima ki te ngākau ora, help people stay mentally well.

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing were created as a result of the New Economics Foundation's (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report.

NEF conducted a review of the most up-to-date evidence and found that building five actions into day to day lives is important for the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and organisations.

You can introduce any of these actions into your life, any time, and you will begin to feel the benefits. Whakatōkia ngā rautaki māmā nei ki tō ao kia rongo ai koe i ngā painga.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing were created as a result of the New Economics Foundation's (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report.

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing, Ētahi ara e rima ki te ngākau ora, help people stay mentally well. Open / Close All Content Share: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Email Print The Five Ways to Wellbeing were created as a result of the New Economics Foundation's (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report.

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https://www.growingup.co.nz/our-guide-online-activities-lockdown

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Lockdown due to Covid-19 is a challenge for anyone, but it's a special kind of challenge for those with children in the house.

Entertaining them, schooling them, feeding them, refereeing sibling arguments - all while you continue with your own work (from home) or other tasks.

Before you tear your hair out, check out some of our favourite sites with helpful tips, tricks, advice and ideas to get through lockdown. Some may help with home schooling and some may help entertain and engage children for a few minutes or a few hours.

And there's a few links for parents down at the end to help you cope with the stress and anxiety the current situation inevitably brings.

Physical activity:

Les Mills Gyms is offering free online classes broadcast on TVNZ at 9am and 3pm every day and on TVNZ On Demand. The 3pm class is designed specifically for children and teenagers.

Check it out here: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/les-mills-born-to-move

Personal training YouTube sensation, Joe Wicks, delivers a PE class for children every day featuring exercises kids can do easily in the living room.

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0go1pTda8&list=PLyCLoPd4VxBvQafyve889qVcPxYEjdSTl&index=2&t=0s

A YouTube channel that offers yoga classes designed especially for kids.

Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga/featured

More than 14 million kids can't be wrong. That's how many use GoNoodle videos to get fit at home through dance, movement, stretching, running and jumping.

Take a look here: https://www.gonoodle.com/

Reading:

o Audible.com

While schools are closed, the website Audible is currently offering children's books for free. There's a huge range of kids' books available here, from perennial favourites like Winnie the Pooh and the Harry Potter series to the latest tween fantasy series.

Check it out here: https://www.audible.com/ep/kids-audiobooks

o Storyline.com

This website has a vast array of story books read by actors and celebrities. Most of the books are for younger children, but older kids will also enjoy the pictures and the passion with which the books are read.

Check it out here: Storylineonline.net

o Libraries

Most New Zealand libraries have an online service through which you can download e-books using your library card. There are a wealth of new titles available and the wait for books is often much shorter than for hard-copy books. You will often need to download another programme to borrow e-books, but it's simple to do and the library websites have all the instructions.

Check out:

o Auckland Libraries: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/ebooks.aspx

o Hamilton libraries: https://hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/ecollections/

o Whangarei Libraries: http://www.whangarei-libraries.com/quick-access/pages/eBooks.aspx

o Tauranga Libraries: https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/digital-library/ebooks

o Wellington Libraries: http://www.wcl.govt.nz/downloads/index.php

o Christchurch Libraries: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ebooks-guide/

o Dunedin Libraries: https://www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz/digital-library

Maths:

For real home schooling, check out the Kahn Academy which features easy-to-understand videos and math problems for children at any school year group. It's methodical and delivered in simple way which will really help children "get" maths.

Take a look here: https://www.khanacademy.org/

An online game-based math programme that engages children by setting them challenges within a game that includes answering maths questions. Children will love it and will not even feel like they are doing maths!

Find it here: https://www.prodigygame.com/

A UK based site which is offering free maths tuition during the Covid-19 pandemic while schools are closed around the world. It has a range of maths topics for children to explore and features games to make the learning fun.

Check it out her: https://www.themathsfactor.com/

Science:

Check out New Zealand's own NanoGirl, Dr Michelle Dickinson, who is providing online science lessons for Kiwi kids. There is a subscription fee, but for every subscription bought another is given to a needy child. NanoGirl is enthusiastic and fun and explains science in simple, easy-to-understand way with experiments that will inspire children of all ages.

Check it out here: https://nanogirlslab.com/

This is an amazing resource with lots of fascinating facts, images, videos and games for young people to explore and find out more about just about anything!

Take a look here: www.natgeokids.com

National Geographic's YouTube channel features lots of short videos on just about any aspect of the natural world. It is the perfect place to capture the imagination of any budding scientist, explorer or adventurer.

Find it here: www.youtube.com/NationalGeographic

Another great museum site with lots of resources for kids to explore and learn more about the natural world. It includes a great range of activities children can do at home.

Take a look: www.nhm.ac.uk

Art and Craft:

This site includes lessons and activities to help children explore all kinds of artistic expression from drawing and painting to sculpture and origami. It features short, fun YouTube clips to help guide children through different activities.

Find it here: https://www.artforkidshub.com/

A website with lots of great ideas for activities that will support children's creativity, includes lots of art and craft, but also science experiments. You can find appropriate activities by topic or by age of the child.

Check it out here: www.tinkerlab.com

Artist Mo Willems is hosting daily doodle drawing classes on his YouTube channel. Children simply need a pen and paper and they can doodle along with him.

Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL14hRqd0PELGbKihHuTqx_pbvCLqGbOkF

Scouts UK has pulled together a range of great indoor activities for children to do while on lockdown. There's a great range of easy activities which require only what you would ordinarily have in the house.

Find it here: https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/

You can't fly to Paris right now, but you can take a virtual tour of one of the world's most famous art galleries and museums. There are a range of other art galleries and museums which also offer virtual tours so check some others as well.

Check it out here: www.louvre.fr

Explore the world:

The British museum has a great YouTube channel for kids in which they explore the history of all sorts of artefacts held at the museum. Children can explore everything from the history of clothes to the conservation of a crocodile mummy to the history of the Trojan War. They are short, fun videos that capture children's imagination.

Find it here: www.youtube.com/britishmuseum

A site which helps children explore different countries around the world. Contains easy facts about a range of countries, plus games and a special world news site for children.

Have a look here: https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/

A fascinating website in which children can watch live web cams of animals in the wild. They can view anything from gorillas in the Congo to orcas in the ocean and polar bears in the Arctic. A fascinating site to while away some time.

Check it out here: https://explore.org/livecams

Home schooling:

This home schooling option from Common Sense Media provides a range of subject matter lessons, as well as a daily schedule for home schooling while schools are closed. It's a fantastic resource that provides everything you need to get through a school day.

Find it here: https://wideopenschool.org/

For parents:

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Our guide to online activities for lockdown | Growing Up in New Zealand

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Lockdown due to Covid-19 is a challenge for anyone, but it's a special kind of challenge for those with children in the house. Entertaining them, schooling them, feeding them, refereeing sibling arguments - all while you continue with your own work (from home) or other tasks.

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https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support-for-individuals-and-whanau/

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Help with essential costs

If you've lost your job, cannot work or are working fewer hours, you may be able to get a benefit or some other financial help from Work and Income.

Work and Income can help with urgent costs like:

food

accommodation costs, for example rent or mortgage, board, emergency housing, moving house

power, gas, heating or water bills

medical and dental costs

You do not need to be on a benefit to get financial support.

Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or use their online calculator to check what you might be eligible for.
Work and Income: Check what you might get (external link)
Support for whānau

Whānau Ora helps whānau access health and welfare services, and meet basic needs for food, accommodation, heating, internet connectivity, water and sewerage.

You can contact Whānau Ora on:

Support for students

If you are a tertiary student, you can contact Studylink for advice.
COVID-19 information for students | studylink.govt.nz (external link)
Support for home owners

If you're worried about your mortgage repayments, talk to your bank or finance company about the options that are available to you.

Help for renters

If you're having trouble paying your rent due to COVID-19, let your landlord know straight away. You may be able to work together to agree on a repayment plan, or negotiate your rent for a period of time so you can stay in your home.
Information for landlords and tenants on negotiating rent (external link)
If you have overdue rent and you're worried you will lose your housing, you can talk to Work and Income for support.
Find out about rent arrears assistance and how to apply (external link)

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Financial support for individuals and whānau

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If you've lost your job, cannot work or are working fewer hours, you may be able to get a benefit or some other financial help from Work and Income.

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Online literacy and numeracy learning with Pathways Awarua

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Online literacy and numeracy learning with Pathways Awarua

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https://pathwaysawarua.com/

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Pathways Awarua is a fun and free way to improve your numeracy and literacy online for work and life. Register today.

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What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has touched all aspects of society including how we work. Emergency responders, health care workers, and others providing essential services to the community have been especially stretched thin, working longer hours than usual, working more shifts or even over-night, and leaving less time to sleep and recharge.

Under regular circumstances, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, along with opportunities for rest while awake, optimal health, and well-being. Long work hours and shift work, combined with stressful or physically demanding work, can lead to poor sleep and extreme fatigue. Fatigue increases the risk for injury and deteriorating health (infections, illnesses, and mental health disorders).

While there is no one solution to fit everyone's needs, here are some general strategies that workers and employers can use to manage workplace fatigue and work safely.

Recognize these are stressful and unusual circumstances and you may need more sleep or time to recover.
Tips to improve sleep:

You'll sleep better if your room is comfortable, dark, cool, and quiet.

If it takes you longer than 15 minutes to fall asleep, set aside some time before bedtime to do things to help you relax. Try meditating, relaxation breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Before you begin working a long stretch of shifts, try "banking your sleep" - sleeping several extra hours longer than you normally do.

After you've worked a long stretch of shifts, remember it may take several days of extended sleep (for example, 10 hours in bed) before you begin to feel recovered. Give yourself time to recover.

Avoid sunlight or bright lights 90 minutes before you go to sleep, when possible. Exposure to light just before bedtime can cause you to feel more awake.

If you work a night shift and drive home during sunlight hours, try wearing sunglasses to reduce your exposure to sunlight during your drive home.

Consider using blackout shades at home when sleeping.

Take naps when you have the opportunity.
A 90-minute nap before working a night shift can help prevent you from feeling tired at work.

Eat healthy foods and stay physically active because it can improve your sleep.

Before you go to sleep, avoid foods and drinks that can make falling asleep more difficult:

Avoid alcohol, heavy meals, and nicotine for at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Don't drink caffeine within 5 hours of bedtime.

Know what to do if you feel too tired to work safely.

Use a buddy system while you're at work. Check in with each other to ensure everyone is coping with work hours and demands.

Watch yourself and your coworkers for signs of fatigue - like yawning, difficulty keeping your eyes open, and difficulty concentrating. When you see something, say something to your coworkers so you can prevent workplace injuries and errors.

Find out if your employer has a formal program to help you manage fatigue on the job. Read information about the program and ask questions so you fully understand your employer's policies and procedures for helping employees manage fatigue.

Report any fatigue-related events or close-calls to a manager to help prevent injuries and errors.

Do not work if your fatigue threatens the safety of yourself or others. Report to a manager when you feel too tired to work safely.

Recognize that these are stressful and unusual circumstances and risk for fatigue may be increased.

Create a culture of safety with clear coordination and communication between management and workers. This can include establishing a Fatigue Risk Management Plan or strategies for fatigue mitigation on the job. Share and ensure that employees understand the processes.

Spot the signs and symptoms of fatigue (e.g., yawning, difficulty keeping eyes open, inability to concentrate) in yourself and your employees and take steps to mitigate fatigue-related injury or error.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a short survey that can be posted in a common area for workers to quickly rate their fatigue.

Create a procedure that does not punish workers for reporting when they, or their coworkers, are too fatigued to work safely. Build it into team comradery as an example of how management and staff can support each other.

Develop processes to relieve a worker from their duties if they are too fatigued to work safely.

If available, and agreeable with workers, consider assigning workers who are just starting their shifts onto safety-critical tasks.

If possible, rotate workers or groups of workers through tasks that are repetitive and/or strenuous. Tools or workstations that are unavoidably shared need to be properly cleaned and disinfected between usage.

If possible, schedule physically and mentally demanding workloads and monotonous work in shorter shifts and/or during day shifts.

Provide information for workers on the consequences of sleep deprivation and resources to assist workers manage fatigue.

Allow staff enough time to organize their off-duty obligations and get sufficient rest and recovery.

Schedule at least 11 hours off in-between shifts (each 24-hour period), and one full day of rest per seven days for adequate sleep and recovery.

Avoid penalizing those who may have restricted availability to work extra shifts/longer hours (e.g., caring for dependents).

If rotating shift work is needed, use forward rotations (day to evening to night) and provide staff with sufficient notice when scheduling, particularly if there is a shift change.

Avoid scheduling staff for more than 12 hours, if possible.

Formalize and encourage regularly scheduled breaks in clean and safe areas where social distancing can be maintained. Recognize the need for additional time for increased hand hygiene and putting on and taking off required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Provide alternative transportation to and from work and mandatory paid rest time prior to driving commutes after work, when possible.
Consider arranging for nearby offsite housing for those working extended shifts and at high risk for COVID-19, such as health care workers. Nearby housing will reduce travel times, allowing for more rest and recovery.

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What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19 The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has touched all aspects of society including how we work. Emergency responders, health care workers, and others providing essential services to the community have been especially stretched thin, working longer hours than usual, working more shifts or even over-night, and leaving less time to sleep and recharge.

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Recognising and dealing with fatigue

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A fatigued worker is equivalent to a drunk worker. Fatigue is a significant problem across NZ workplaces. According to the 2017 Health and Safety Attitudes and Behaviours Survey , 43% of NZ workers stated they worked when overtired from 'time to time' or 'a lot'.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue goes beyond the feeling of just being tired. It is the feeling of extreme exhaustion and has direct influences on people's physical and mental abilities needed to carry out even a simple task. A few signs of fatigue can include drowsiness, lack of focus, increased mistakes at work, difficulty engaging with others, and mood swings.

Fatigue can be caused by several factors, both in the workplace and in one's personal life. These can include:

Work schedules - Long work hours, irregular work hours and night shifts can all contribute to feeling fatigued.

Lack of sleep - Everyone requires specific amount of sleep in order to function properly. It is recommended that adults should get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

High workload - High workload is one of the top causes of fatigue. The latest OECD Better Life Index says New Zealand had the ninth-highest percentage of workers working over 50 hours a week - 13.8%.

Environmental conditions - This includes noise, extreme climate conditions, light level and vibration which can all lead to fatigue.

The longer term health effects of fatigue includes high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and anxiety.

How does fatigue affect the workplace?

To work safely, workers must be healthy, alert and engaged in their job. Thus, fatigue is a serious risk that can negatively affect the health and safety of a worker and their workplace.

High levels of fatigue can have a range of undesirable outcomes. Impaired concentration and poor judgement caused by fatigue can lead to an increase in incidents and injuries, particularly when:

operating fixed or mobile plant, including driving vehicles

undertaking critical tasks that require a high level of concentration

undertaking night or shift work when a person would ordinarily be sleeping.

According to , accidents and injury rates are 30% greater during night shifts, and workers on-the-job 12 hours per day show a 37% increased risk of injury.

Along with the risk of an increase in workplace incidents, fatigue also increases absenteeism and lowers productivity - workers have a 66% rate of lost productivity due to cognitive decline and inability to focus.

How can you manage fatigue in the workplace?

Everyone in the workplace has a responsibility to ensure fatigue does not create a risk to health and safety at work.

PCBUs and Officers have the primary duty to eliminate or minimise the risks that arise, so far as is reasonably practicable. Measures to manage the risks associated with fatigue may vary across different industries due to the nature of the work.

A systematic process to managing fatigue should include:

identifying the factors which may cause fatigue in the workplace

if necessary, assessing the risks of injury from fatigue

controlling risks by implementing the most effective control measures reasonably practicable in the circumstances, and

reviewing control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

For instance, ensure work schedules and work load is reasonable. If longer working days are required, consider staggered start and finish times, and/or longer rest breaks (and carefully monitor a worker's ability to cope).

Workers are also responsible for managing fatigue in and outside of the workplace. Workers should prioritise getting sufficient sleep, recognise the symptoms of fatigue and inform their manager/supervisor if a task is beyond their capacity.

Fatigue can affect anyone. It's important for employers to raise awareness of the risks associated with fatigue and consult with workers to effectively manage them.

Our health and safety system offers a way for workers to report fatigue through submitting a simple form. The fatigue reporting form can also be customised to suit your workplace. now for more information on GOSH and fatigue reporting.

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Managing Fatigue in the Workplace | workingwise

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A fatigued worker is equivalent to a drunk worker. Fatigue is a significant problem across NZ workplaces. According to the 2017 Health and Safety Attitudes and Behaviours Survey, 43% of NZ workers stated they worked when overtired from 'time to time' or 'a lot'. What is fatigue?

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Work-related health

Many industries rely on workers being physically and mentally alert. Fatigue is a state of physical and/or mental exhaustion which reduces a person's ability to perform work safely and effectively.

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Work-related health Many industries rely on workers being physically and mentally alert. Fatigue is a state of physical and/or mental exhaustion which reduces a person's ability to perform work safely and effectively.

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The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charity that works towards creating a society free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health & wellbeing.

We work to influence individuals, whanau, organisations and communities to improve and sustain their mental health and reach their full potential.

Right now, you are on our Staying Well positive mental health and wellbeing section; you will find information on mental health conditions, where to get help and how to support those you love and care about in our Get Help section. Although we are not a counselling or advice service, our information officers are happy to point you in the right direction to find help.

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We work to influence individuals, whanau, organisations and communities to improve and sustain their mental health and reach their full potential. Right now, you are on our Staying Well positive mental health and wellbeing section; you will find information on mental health conditions, where to get help and how to support those you love and care about in our Get Help section.

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Based on ‘Mental Health Tips for Quarantine’ written by psychologist Dr. Eileen Feliciano.

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The Smoko Room is open to everyone in the Construction Industry looking to get together with your mates for a chat during the Covid-19 crisis.

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Article/Tips to cope with bubble of one

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"Loneliness comes with life." - Whitney Houston

"I can't remember the last time I touched someone," my friend messaged.

Single, she lived alone and - now - working from home, with weeks of social isolation stretching out in front, she was struggling. "This is not much fun by yourself," she said.

She was sleeping badly and her mind wouldn't shut down. "I don't know how to get through this," she said. "How are you supposed to cope when you're a bubble of one?"

I wasn't sure how to comfort her. Because it slapped me with the reality of social isolation for people who are on their own: that is, the increased risk to their mental health.

Most loneliness is temporary - but pandemic loneliness poses a different kind of threat because alongside the loss of meaningful physical connection, we're dealing with an upswing in general anxiety.

People on their own are often spared from chronic loneliness by their friends or work colleagues, or random chats with their neighbours, barista or anyone who passes through their world. Even just SEEING other people is a means of connecting, of feeling part of the world.

But when they're denied those little connections - not to mention the chance to download- they tend to internalise their thoughts and feelings. To worry; to ruminate. And that can lead to sleep difficulties, racing minds, cognitive distortions, physiological symptoms of anxiety or unexplained health problems and, ultimately, depression.

Loneliness is caused by the distress felt at a lack of meaningful relationships. We all experience loneliness from time to time, but think about what it's like to be holed up at home, stripped of your usual social outlets or activities - and without someone to you a hug, make you a cuppa or listen to the ordinary contents of your day. AND when you go out for a walk, even strangers step aside to avoid you.

If that's your struggle right now, here are some ways to reverse the tide, at least until lockdown is lifted. And if you know someone who's on their own, reach out. Send a text. Pick up the phone. Smile at a stranger. Your kindness may also save a life.

1. Acknowledge it's hard - even a bit sh*t.

You're allowed to do that. In most cases, being on your own in a lockdown is harder than not. So acknowledge and have a little wallow in your loneliness, even if it's only to yourself. But keep a boundary around how long you do it for. And when time's up, go do something.

2. Know what your day holds when you wake up.

Wake up at random times and "go with the flow" at your peril - more often than not, it'll leave you feeling lost and flat. Instead, sit down every evening and make a plan (list) for the next day. Include the usual components of your life: work/emails, leisure/fun, learning, chores, exercise, catching up with friends or family. Then, your day has a framework: from the moment you get up, you know what to do. Even if you're tired, follow the plan.

Scheduling is even more important during lockdown because it anchors us, gives us focus and allows us a tiny sense of achievement at the end of the day. And it stops us from being led entirely by our feelings which is risky when you are feeling low.

3. Don't be a slave to work.

Create a dedicated work space and work there. Break your work into manageable chunks. Schedule and take breaks. When you're on your own it's tempting to keep working in the evening. You can, obviously, but having work on a drip is not healthy. Have a way of "marking" the end of your working day. For example, close and tidy away your laptop, get changed, go for a walk.

4. Sing or dance. Preferably both.

Music is great for uplifting your spirits. So find a way to involve it in your day - somehow. If you dance at the same time, take a double tick: you're also achieving your exercise goal. And it may help you sleep too.

5. Don't get lured into the comparison trap.

Social media is the biggest and best of them. Spend too much time there and you'll wind up feeling like EVERYONE who "has someone" is doing better in self-isolation better than you. They're not. They're arguing, they're stressing, they're bored, they're worried. And, even if they're not, you don't need to think about that. Focus on making yourself feel okay.

6. Beware of snacking on coronavirus news.

Schedule your news views too - twice a day is enough. Constant checking for updates (which are usually just more of the same) will keep your anxiety humming.

7. Thrash your best self-soothing technique.

Do one thing every day that makes you feel good OR peaceful. Take a bath or a walk, hang with your cats/dog, meditate, do yoga or an online exercise class, journal or write, read, draw, paint, do crafts or puzzles, make things, listen to audio books or podcasts or music (see above). Avoid self-flagellation at all costs: if it doesn't make you feel good or calm, it doesn't count.

8. Catch up with one friend a day.

By Zoom or Houseparty, phone or even text message. Schedule catch ups with them if you can. Just aim to have one human interaction - and to hear your own voice - every day.

9. Look strangers in the eye.

When you go for a walk (as you should) smile or wave at - or say hi to - strangers. Some people won't smile back; for some reason, infectious diseases make some people suspicious of everything and everyone. But eye contact is contagious - in a good way. It's a way of making a human connection. If the stranger doesn't "catch" yours back, shrug it off - they might be having a tougher time of lockdown than you.

10. Know one bad day doesn't have to lead to two.

Everyone's having the odd bad day at the moment - days when the kids fight, the house is a mess, their anxiety spikes, they can't find what they need at the supermarket, they get NOTHING done. You'll have them too. But it doesn't have to mean the next day will be bad too. So when you've had a rough one, reset your plan, get up and keep trying. Tell yourself you can make it okay again.

11. Tap into the upside.

It may be hard to do this on a bad day, but there are benefits to being in a solo bubble. You can do what you want - when you want. You don't have to keep everyone around you calm or positive or doing schoolwork or entertained. You don't have tidy up their crap or do their dishes. You can have popcorn for dinner. You can play your own music - and sing and dance without critique. You can watch your favourite shows all night. The only fight you'll have is with yourself. And, even though comparison is a dumb idea, it's worth remembering a lot of people would give an awful lot for that.

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Bubble of One: How to Cope With Self-Isolating On Your Own

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"Loneliness comes with life." - Whitney Houston "I can't remember the last time I touched someone," my friend messaged. Single, she lived alone and - now - working from home, with weeks of social isolation stretching out in front, she was struggling. "This is not much fun by yourself," she said.

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Depending on your company, they may use EAP who provide support services over the phone - if they do click here for more info

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While some people will have the ability to 'ride through' such an event, others may struggle.

The severity of the impact most often depends on the severity of the event itself and the psychological make up of those directly affected.

Critical incidents can lead to emotional, and sometimes physical, distress, often to the point where the employee can no longer function in the workplace.

EAP Services provides immediate response to any critical incident on a 24 hour, every day of the year, basis. Our professionals train in psychological first aid and have critical incident and case management expertise.

Key features of our critical incident support services:

Guaranteed response times and action plans.

Coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Professional support for employees involved in a serious incident.

Individual and/or group support as required.

Liaison and support for management, both immediately in response to the incident and following the initial intervention.

Proactive care that assists employees return to the workplace.

Formal critical incident reporting to management.

For further information on this service or to obtain assistance to support a critical incident, please contact us on:

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Employee Assistance Programme by EAP Services Limited

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While some people will have the ability to 'ride through' such an event, others may struggle. The severity of the impact most often depends on the severity of the event itself and the psychological make up of those directly affected.

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Updates on your rubbish collection dates etc.

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Auckland's kerbside rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections are considered essential services and will continue as usual at this point in time. In order to keep providing this service, the council is following all Ministry of Health guidelines to ensure that public health is not compromised.

Here are the steps that you can take during this lockdown period to make sure your kerbside collection is picked up.

Collections should be placed kerbside by 7am on your normal day.

As more people park on the road, make sure your bins are visible and are not blocked by vehicles. The collectors need to be able to access your bin using the automated technology as much as possible to reduce unnecessary contact.

Rubbish bags and pay as you throw bin tags are still available from most supermarkets for areas that have this service. If you do not have access to a tag, please give us a call at 09 301 0101 to make arrangements.
Your pay as you throw tag will be left on the bin and not taken off by the collector. You'll need to remove this yourself when you put on a fresh tag on for the next collection. This is to minimise the contact our collectors have with your bins each day.

Anyone with a food scraps bin should avoid placing tissues in them. These, and other hygiene products, should be bagged and placed in rubbish bins.

Wipe down your bin handles and wash your hands after you've touched your bin.

If you are on a property without a bin, you can request one by calling 09 301 0101, but no bin removals, exchanges or repairs can be done at this time.

Adjusted services
The Waitākere, Waiheke, and Aotea Great Barrier Island Transfer Stations are closed to the general public and open only for licensed waste collectors providing essential services. Community recycling centres are also closed.

Household on-property inorganics collections beginning 26 March onwards have been postponed for the lockdown period, and customers have been advised of rescheduling.

Parul Sood, General Manager for Waste Solutions says making these adjustments will allow the waste team to concentrate on the most critical collection services.
"We are all grateful to the drivers and team members who are working around the clock to make sure that essential services are maintained safely at this time," she says. Recycling services continue
Our process for emptying recycling bins is automated, so there is significantly less human touch involved in the collection process. We handle much higher volumes than smaller cities, so our sorting facilities are able to meet the physical distancing requirements to operate safely in indoor work environments. We also have a larger workforce to rely on at this crucial time, which enables us to provide this service if part of the workforce is unable to work. We urge Aucklanders to place their bins in an easily accessible location and ensure they are not blocked by vehicles.

Aucklanders at home can improve their rates of recycling by playing the "recycle right" game to learn which items are accepted in our region.
How you can minimise waste
We encourage people who are compost-curious to learn online from our community partner, the Compost Collective. Their facilitators are still fully available on social media to answer questions and provide virtual support.

This is also a good time to minimise food waste by eating the parts of food you may have passed up before, like broccoli stalks, bread crusts, and potato skins. We have a free cookbook, and there are recipes and videos available from Love Food Hate Waste.

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Auckland's kerbside rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections are considered essential services and will continue as usual at this point in time. In order to keep providing this service, the council is following all Ministry of Health guidelines to ensure that public health is not compromised.

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Free counselling service if needed, via Mike King organisation

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Let's connect :

Gumboot Friday

Free Counselling for kids

Gumboot friday

tractor trek 2020

Gumboot Friday Tractor Trek is a fun way for kiwis especially in rural communities to join in the mental health conversation.

Click the tractor to find out more...

COUNSELLORS

Join our I AM HOPE counsellor, therapist or health professional database

Counsellor login

Up skilled? Moved offices? Time to update your details on our database. Login to keep your information fresh

POSTERS

FREE

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Gumboot Friday | I Am Hope | New Zealand

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Let's connect : Gumboot Friday Free Counselling for kids Gumboot Friday Tractor Trek is a fun way for kiwis especially in rural communities to join in the mental health conversation. Click the tractor to find out more... COUNSELLORS Join our I AM HOPE counsellor, therapist or health professional database Counsellor login Up skilled?

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Commonly asked questions from children and how to inform/answer childrens questions

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Talking to children about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

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Guidance for parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers. Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events such as COVID-19. Parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers will have a particularly important part to play in reassuring children at this time. Children will react to and follow your verbal and non-verbal cues.

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Free text/call service if your not feeling safe

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If you or someone else needs immediate help - call the Police on 111. Below are ways to contact us for support or information.

Text: Send us a text on 4334 and we will text you back.

Online Chat: Simply click on the "chat to someone" button on the bottom of every page and a chat window will open.

Media enquiries: media@homecaremedical.co.nz or 021 364 484

We have interpreter services for 44 languages: If your first language is not English, we can arrange an interpreter to help support you. Languages covered include Te Reo, Samoan, Cook Island Māori, Tongan, Tokelauan, Mandarin, Hindi, Farsi, Tamil, Dari, French, Filipino and Cantonese. This service is available 24/7.

To access an interpreter when you contact us, let us know you'd like one.

Safe to talk is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Safe to talk
PO Box 9980
Newmarket, Auckland 1149

Safe to talk is operated by Homecare Medical.

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Text: Send us a text on 4334 and we will text you back. Online Chat: Simply click on the "chat to someone" button on the bottom of every page and a chat window will open. Media enquiries: media@homecaremedical.co.nz or 021 364 484 We have interpreter services for 44 languages: If your first language is not English, we can arrange an interpreter to help support you.

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Free phone service to ask for health advice if your not feeling well

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Healthline is a free health advice service that's run by the Ministry of Health. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number to call is 0800 611 116.

St John supports Healthline by promoting the service through our ambulance crews, at events, during first aid courses and via our medical alarm service.

Expert health advice
Healthline is staffed by registered nurses who are trained to assess health problems and offer advice over the phone. The service is free and confidential.

Who can use Healthline?
You can call Healthline if you're feeling unwell, or if you need advice to help a family member or friend who's sick. You can also call the service if you're on holiday and want to know where to find the nearest doctor or pharmacy.

For medical emergencies, dial 111
Healthline complements our ambulance services, because it provides advice for people who are mildly to moderately unwell. If the health problem is urgent or life-threatening, you should call St John Ambulance Service on 111.

Visit the Healthline website
Healthline is a Ministry of Health service that operates 24/7 every day of the year.
Visit the Healthline page on the Ministry of Health website>>

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Healthline over-the-phone health advice, promoted by St John

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Healthline is a free health advice service that's run by the Ministry of Health. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number to call is 0800 611 116. St John supports Healthline by promoting the service through our ambulance crews, at events, during first aid courses and via our medical alarm service.

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Range of support services that anyone can access food parcels for  example for those who have taken a large hit financially

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Kia ora, welcome to the Emerge Aotearoa Group.

During Alert Level 4 all Emerge Aotearoa hubs and day programmes are closed. Our residential and housing complex services continue to operate and are fully staffed. Community-based teams will continue to connect with people, via telephone or videoconferencing and, where necessary, face-to-face with strict hygiene protocols in place.

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During Alert Level 4 all Emerge Aotearoa hubs and day programmes are closed. Our residential and housing complex services continue to operate and are fully staffed. Community-based teams will continue to connect with people, via telephone or videoconferencing and, where necessary, face-to-face with strict hygiene protocols in place.

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Tips for you if you are working from home

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Working from home is the dream for many.

For others, having to work from home is a nightmare - a paradigm shift brought on by a career change, personal tragedy, or the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

But dream or nightmare, a full-time switch or a temporary one, work-from-home jobs present unique challenges.

And to help you face those challenges, we're going to teach you what you need to know. No fluff, no filler - just the necessities.

Let's dive in.

Note: There are quite a few referral links in this post, which means we'll get a small commission if you use them to grab any of the tools or apps we discuss. However, there's no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support.
5 Home Office Essentials (+ 4 to Consider)

There's overlap between what you "need to do your job" in an office environment and what you need to do it remotely.

For example, you don't need me to point out you need a chair. Or a Keurig, since you no longer swing by your favorite coffee shop on the way to work.

But there are items that matter more when you work from home, and they're things that can make or break you as a remote worker.

Things like...

1. A Dedicated Workspace (Preferably One With a Door)

When you're telecommuting for the first time, it's tempting to pick up your laptop, plop down on the couch, and go about your workday.

But unless you're living alone (and, honestly, even then), this is a mistake.

I should know - it's precisely what I used to do. I was so happy to be working from home, I made our living room my home office.

"Why would I want to be hidden away on the other side of the house?" I asked my wife. "Being able to see you and the girls is one of the biggest perks of working from home."

The problem?

It's difficult to focus on work when you're setting up shop in the same room your family members are using to dance to the "Frozen" soundtrack.

It's a lesson I learned the hard way, but to achieve a healthy work-life balance, you have to separate your two worlds. And to do that, you have to be able to get away.

What Do We Recommend?

Pick a room with a door. A room you aren't using for anything else is ideal, but commandeering a bedroom during the day will work too.

If a closed-off space for your home office isn't an option, choose an area offering at least a modicum of privacy. This could be your dining room table, your kitchen counter, or the tiny nook under the stairs your kids haven't yet discovered.

What's the Cost?

Unless your significant other or roommate "makes you pay" in some way, claiming an area as your home office is free.

2. Headphones (Especially if There's No Door)

If you used to work in a cubicle, or shared an office with a loud eater, you already know a good pair of headphones are worth their weight in gold.

Working remotely may mean you no longer have co-workers nearby to distract you, but it doesn't mean you're free from distractions.

A good headset will help keep outside noises at bay; plus, if you have a job where you're on a lot of video conference calls, they're a must-have item anyway.

What Do We Recommend?

Sony's WH-1000XM3 ($278), the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 ($399), and Apple's AirPods Pro ($249) are popular - but pricey - options, and they each have built-in microphones for making calls.

If you need something more budget-friendly, Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 receives high marks from reviewers on Amazon. And, if needed, those old earbuds that came with your phone can work in a pinch.

What's the Cost?

Anker's Q20 costs $60. Those old earbuds are free (if you don't count what you paid for the phone).

3. A Mac or Windows PC (But Not a Chromebook)

Most likely, you already have a laptop. Maybe you bought it yourself, or maybe it's one issued to you by your employer.

But if you're in the market for one, and you're working remotely, take my advice:

Three months before I started working at Smart Blogger, I bought a new laptop - a beautiful, shiny Google Pixelbook.
Don't buy a Chromebook (unless it's your backup).
I loved it (and still do). But I wouldn't have bought it had I known I was weeks away from a new career where I'd be working remotely.

Working from home meant using the Pixelbook for video conferencing, file sharing, and task management. For some apps and tools (Slack, Zoom), it was more than up for the challenge. For others (like GoToWebinar), it wasn't.

Unless you have complete control over the tools your remote team members use to work together, having a Chromebook as your daily driver is a risk.

What Do We Recommend?

Stick with Windows or Mac for your primary work computer.

What's the Cost?

The new Macbook Air and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 both retail for $999. You can find Windows laptops from Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Acer for less (and more).

4. Strong Wi-Fi

When you work in a typical office, Internet connection is rarely a concern.

Small business or large, your employer has a plan that probably costs a small fortune. You go to work, do various online activities for 8 hours, and go home. Everything just works.

But when you work from home, you're not using your employer's wi-fi. You're using yours.

Even if your employer reimburses you, it's still your wi-fi service - and it probably doesn't cost a small fortune. If you're like most, you're using the cheapest plan your ISP (Internet Service Provider) offers that lets you stream Hulu or Netflix without buffering.

That's fine if you're literally watching "Parks & Rec" for the seventh time. But when your job relies on you having fast and reliable Internet access, you may need more.

What Do We Recommend?

The speed and reliability of your wi-fi depends on a number of factors, but we'll focus on three: your ISP plan, your modem, and your router.

Wi-Fi Plan:

Choose the best plan you can afford. If your employer reimburses you, get the highest plan they'll allow. If all the plans suck, find a new ISP.

Modem:

If you rent your modem from your ISP, see if you're eligible for an upgrade. Even better? Stop renting and buy a top-quality modem online ( that's what I did). You'll get better performance, and you'll save money in the long run.

Note: If you go this route, make sure you choose a modem that's compatible with your ISP. Their website will be able to provide you a list.

Router:

To ensure your designated home office isn't in a "dead zone," a "mesh" wi-fi system can be a life saver. Personally, I opted for Google Nest WiFi in my home, but the Netgear Orbi is a solid option too. It gives you 4,500 square feet of coverage, and it received solid marks in Ry Crist's CNET review.

What's the Cost?

Wi-Fi plans vary.

Modems will cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars. Mesh wi-fi systems come in all shapes and sizes, but the two we discussed - Netgear Orbi and Google Nest WiFi - cost $196 and $239, respectively.

5. A Second Monitor

If you're used to having a dual-monitor setup at work, switching to a single monitor is one of the hardest adjustments when you're working from home.

Now, if working remotely is your new normal, you may decide to buy a monitor (or two) for your home office. But in the meantime, there's a chance you already have a second screen at your disposal:

Your iPad.

If you have a Mac using macOS Catalina, you can use "Sidecar" to turn your iPad into a second display. And if you have a Windows PC (or an older Mac), you can use the Duet Display app.

What Do We Recommend?

Working at home doesn't mean having to live without dual monitors. If you know you'll be working from home permanently, find a new monitor on Amazon that fits your budget. Or, if you already own an iPad, double its usefulness by turning it into a second display.

What's the Cost?

Cheap monitors start around $100.

Sidecar is included if you're using a compatible Mac. The Duet Display app costs $9.99.

An iPad, if you already own it, is free. Otherwise, new iPads start around $279.

Home Office Gear: 4 More to Consider

The previous five items were pretty universal. If you're working from home, there's an excellent chance they were relevant to you and your situation.

These next four are a bit more niche, so we'll run through them quickly:

6. A Standing Desk

In an office environment, there are meetings to walk to, TPS reports to shred, and water coolers to gossip around.

You don't have those when you're working from home, which is why many remote employees find themselves sitting for too many hours during the day.

It's little wonder then why, when providing their expert tips (see below) for this post, two different members of the Smart Blogger team recommended standing desks to our readers.

And a third, yours truly, used a standing desk to write the words you're reading right now:

Standing desks aren't for everyone. But, they might be for you. You can learn more about them and their history in this write-up from Art of Manliness.

7. Ergonomic Keyboard
8. Ergonomic (Vertical) Mouse
9. Blue-Light Blocking Glasses

Many remote workers find themselves spending more time - not less - in front of their computers.

Meetings are now virtual...

You're no longer in a coworking space where you're snagged by colleagues for "two-second" conversations when you're on your way to the bathroom...

As a result, a majority of your workday, if not all of it, is now spent staring at your computer screen, typing away on your keyboard, and mousing away with your mouse.

The result?

Strained eyes and sore wrists.

Until I started working from home, I never experienced these ailments. But thankfully, after doing some research, I was able to find tools to help me combat them.

Switching to the Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse solved my wrist pain. Blue Light Blocking Glasses from Swanwick helped my eye strain.

And if I decide to try an ergonomic keyword, Julia McCoy of Content Hacker has great things to say about the Kinesis Freestyle2.

If you find yourself struggling, give these a look.

5 Apps & Software for Working Remotely

There are lots of apps out there for remote workers. That's why most "how to work from home" guides inundate you with dozens and dozens of tools that all sound the same and, more or less, do the same things.

It can be overwhelming. And confusing.

So, let's keep things simple...

The apps and software you need to work from home can be grouped into just five categories. We'll start with the one you're probably most familiar with:

1. Video Chat Software

Next to eliminating their daily commute, the thing most people enjoy about remote jobs is "no more meetings."

Yeah, about that.

While physically sitting next to co-workers might be a thing of the past when you're remote working, video conferencing is common for many work-at-home jobs.

Plus, let's face it:

You need social interaction when you're working from home. You need face-to-face time. Otherwise, eventually, you'll go stir-crazy.

The video chat app you use - Zoom, Microsoft's Skype for Business, Google Hangouts - will be decided by your employer or project manager.

Knowing how to use your particular video calls app can save your sanity (and save you from possible embarrassment), so here are tutorials for each:

What Do We Recommend?

We primarily use Zoom for video calls at Smart Blogger. You don't have to create an account or download any software to use it, which makes it very user friendly. If you have sway over the video chat software your team uses, Zoom is a good choice.

What's the Cost?

A personal Zoom account is free, and you can host a meeting with up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes. If you need more, their paid plans start at $14.99 a month.

2. File Sharing Software

Sharing files with colleagues used to be easy. Just save everything to your company's LAN (local area network) and, boom, you're done.

But unless your employer has a VPN server, sharing files while you're working from home is a bit trickier.

Thankfully, we all have access to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. A full-featured collaboration tool like Confluence from Atlassian can work, too, by letting you attach files to pages.

Just like with video chat software, the file sharing app your team uses will be decided by your employer. Here are guides to help you learn the ins and outs of each:

What Do We Recommend?

We use Google Drive at Smart Blogger. It works on Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS (plus Android and iOS). And, if you use Gmail, you're likely already familiar with it.

Just make sure you understand how permissions work in Google Drive before sharing folders with your colleagues.

What's the Cost?

A free Google Drive account comes with your Gmail address, and with it you get you 15 GB of cloud storage. But for sharing files as a virtual team, you should look into one of Google's paid options. You can get a G Suite Business account for $12 per user each month, and it comes with unlimited Google Drive storage.

3. Task & Project Management Software

You may already be familiar with Kanban boards, integrated master schedules, and the like. Your team may already be using them.

But now that you're working remotely, you'll likely be leaning on them more and more.

Project management apps like Asana, monday.com, and Trello help virtual teams stay on track. And even if your team isn't, there's no reason you can't use them to manage your own tasks.

What Do We Recommend?

Start Blogger uses Asana to manage our projects. However, several team members, including yours truly, also use Trello to track individual tasks.

What's the Cost?

Both Asana and Trello offer free plans, which work great if your team is small (or if you're using them alone). If you have a larger team, or you need more features:

Asana Premium is $10.99 per user (per month)

Trello Business is $9.99 per user (per month)

monday.com's plans start at $39 per month (for 5 users)

4. Chat App for Team Interaction

You might be on opposite sides of your city, state, or country (or even the world), but your virtual team still needs to shoot the breeze and interact with each other.

(And no, emailing the entire office isn't an option. Don't be that person.)

Chat apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts Chat let you and your colleagues build comradery and stay engaged even though you're miles apart.

In the remote worker's toolkit, they're a must-have tool. If you've never used them before, here are guides to help you get started:

What Do We Recommend?

Slack is the tool we use to interact with each other at Smart Blogger, and it's difficult to imagine working from home without it.

What's the Cost?

You can get a lot of mileage out of the free version of Slack. If you need to upgrade, paid plans start at $6.67 (and that's for your entire team).

Microsoft Teams is included in Office 365. The Business Essentials plan is $5 per user each month, while the Business Premium plan is $12.50.

Google Hangouts Chat comes with a G Suite Business account. The Basic plan costs $6 per user each month.

5. Time Management App (to Help You Keep it All Straight)

Yeah, this one is a bit of a cheat.

You don't have to be working from hope to benefit from a good time management tool.

But, trust me, when you're working remotely, having one is vital.

Remote work can be deceptive. You think you'll have all this extra time now that you're no longer having to commute, do your hair, put on pants, what have you. Then five o'clock rolls around, and you're suddenly wondering why you didn't get more accomplished.

Try as you might, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is going to be tricky when you work at home. Laundry, personal errands, and playing with the kids will creep into your workday.

For increased productivity, and to keep all the balls you're juggling from falling, an app like Todoist or Things can work wonders for your various to-do lists.

What Do We Recommend?

I've used Todoist for years. It's easy to use, it's packed with features, and it's available on every major platform and device.

What's the Cost?

The free version of Todoist gives you 80 projects and up to 5 people per project. If you need more, their paid plans start at only $3 per user each month.

If you don't like the idea of recurring fees, and you're an Apple user, give Things a look. The app has a one-time $9.99 fee for iPhone/Apple Watch, a one-time $19.99 fee for iPad, and a one-time $49.99 fee for Mac.

How to Work From Home: 35 Tips for Remote Workers (From Pros Who Do It Everyday)

Now for the fun part.

I reached out to some of my colleagues at Smart Blogger and asked them for their best "work from home" tips.

Here's what they had to say:

1. If you're single, having a pet really helps with feeling isolated

2. Schedule time to hang out with friends

3. Get an air purifier

4. Set clear boundaries on your time, tasks, and calls

5. Shut off audio notifications on everything - phone, social media and email

6. Set 'focus time' when you shut off every form of online communication to work

7. Use a focus music app with the Pomodoro technique

8. Don't try to squeeze in household tasks

9. Get, or create, a standing desk

10. Don't eat at your desk

11. Wear blue light blocking glasses

12. Start the day with three important goals

13. Link healthy habits to fixed points in your day

14. Extend productive working sessions a little past the point of comfort

15. Get a standing desk. And a standing mat. (But sit sometimes too)

16. Vary your equipment

17. Get a gaming monitor (but not for gaming)

18. Learn to recognize when your most productive time is

19. Stretch and move around

20. Set boundaries with friends and family

21. Have a separate space for work

22. Learn a bit about lighting

23. Create separate user profiles for your internet browser

24. Get out and catch some sun

25. Have a routine, but be flexible

26. Take mental breaks

27. Have a mobility/stretching routine

28. Level up your skills

29. Stay balanced

30. Communicate constantly to friends & family about your work schedule

31. Prioritize YOU time on your calendar

32. Be sure to meal prep

33. Enjoy the days you can work in pajamas, but don't overuse them

34. Make your home office somewhere you enjoy spending time

And here's one from me:

35. Make sure you check in (and check out)

I Love Working From Home. How About You?

We're the lucky ones, you know.

No long commute? Getting to set our own schedules? Working mere feet away from our loved ones? It's a blessing, a gift from God.

Even though it's easy to get lost in deadlines, drafts to edit, and emails to read, I pray I never forget how fortunate I am to be doing what I do.

Savor these moments. Wrap your arms around them. Because it doesn't matter if you're a freelancer getting paid to write, an independent contractor, a data entry specialist, or a part-time customer service representative for a call center, working from home is a special experience. You're getting to do what many people dream about doing.

Let me know if this guide was helpful by leaving a comment below. And, if there's a tool or tip we missed, please don't hesitate to share it.

Stay safe out there, folks.

About the Author: When he's not busy telling waitresses, baristas, and anyone else who crosses his path that Jon Morrow once said he was in the top 1% of bloggers, Kevin J. Duncan is Smart Blogger's Editor in Chief.

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Working From Home? 14 Sanity-Saving Tools (+ 35 Pro Tips)

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Working from home is the dream for many. For others, having to work from home is a nightmare - a paradigm shift brought on by a career change, personal tragedy, or the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But dream or nightmare, a full-time switch or a temporary one, work-from-home jobs present unique challenges.

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If you're not feeling 100% and want to talk to a free counselling service

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Sometimes life's ups and downs are more than just the usual ups and downs.
If you're stuck feeling bad we'll help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. Whatever's going on you'll find ideas and people who can help you get unstuck.

What's on your mind?

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Sometimes life's ups and downs are more than just the usual ups and downs. If you're stuck feeling bad we'll help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. Whatever's going on you'll find ideas and people who can help you get unstuck. What's on your mind?

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New techniques, to help give you space you need

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There are a lot of unknowns in the world right now. But one thing is certain - Headspace is here for you. To help you, we're offering some meditations you can listen to anytime.

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Commonly asked questions

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A central place for information from the New Zealand Government about COVID-19.

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New Zealand’s largest nation-wide organisation that supports and helps women and children experiencing family violence. Our vision is for all women and children in Aotearoa to live free from domestic and family violence.

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We are an essential service and will remain operational during alert level 4.
Women's Refuge is committed to providing a safe response during the Covid-19 pandemic and making staff and client
well-being the utmost priority.

We are working closely with Government and Police to ensure we can be there for women and children who need assistance during this time, however our services while include less face to face contact where possibleThe pandemic response of social distancing and self-isolation may mean that women living with family violence are more at risk, which given trends in other countries is a scenario we are prepared for.

FAQS:

Can I still reach out to Women's Refuge?

Yes. Women's Refuge is an essential service and while our services may look different we are here for women and children experiencing Family Violence 24/7. We will be minimising face to face contact (telephone and online guidance will be used whenever possible) in order to keep everyone safe.

What if someone becomes unwell in a safe house?

We have protocols in place to ensure that this is dealt with in accordance to Government guidelines. We are also utilising alternative accommodation options in order to maintain isolation procedures.

What if I am worried about someone I know?

If you are concerned about somebody else, you can support them by keeping in touch with them. First and foremost be aware that during the lock-down period their conversations and activities may be monitored:

Agree on a 'code word' in advance with your friend. If they message you that word, you can call the police and ask them to check on them.

Ask them if they have the essential things they need (such as food, medication, and sanitary items) and help them to get them. Some abusive people will withhold these items.

Help them to feel less isolated by setting up regular times to talk to you and to others.

Encourage them to get in touch with Women's Refuge if they feel unsafe.

What if I feel unsafe?

We have several ways you can get in contact:

-Ring our crisis line on 0800REFUGE

- Send a FB message through Womens Refuge FB Page

- Email us on info@refuge.org.nz

- Send a confidential message that is through our Shielded Site feature found on The Warehouse, NZ Post and many other major websites.

If you or a family member are in immediate danger call 111

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We are an essential service and will remain operational during alert level 4. Women's Refuge is committed to providing a safe response during the Covid-19 pandemic and making staff and client well-being the utmost priority.

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If your not sure on what support you can get financially find your answers here!

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We help Kiwis of all ages navigate the financial world & make wise decisions to reach retirement with choices. See our goals & latest income reviews here.

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Free online tool to help you out with your problems at home/work

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Quite simply, Aunty Dee will guide you to:

List your problems

Generate ideas

Find a solution

You can use Aunty Dee to work through one problem, or you can ask about many problems and use Aunty Dee over and over again - it's completely up to you.

And you can use Aunty Dee on your mobile phone, tablet, laptop or personal computer. Because it's a web-based tool, there are no big apps to download that use up your device's storage space or your precious data.

Aunty Dee uses evidence to help people

Aunty Dee is a systematic approach to decision making that is based on Structured Problem Solving.

Structured Problem Solving is a strategy based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and has been shown to reduce depression symptoms in both adults and young people.

Online resources that are based on CBT have also been shown to work well with helping young people cope.

It's important to understand that Aunty Dee doesn't generate content or provide answers; it guides you to think about and explore your problems in structured way.

In doing so, this will help you move proactively towards solutions to your problems, instead of allowing problems to become overwhelming.

You don't have to register to use Aunty Dee. But you might want to.

If you find Aunty Dee helpful, and you think you'll use it a lot, it's worth registering. There's no cost to register. It's not about money - it's about being there to help you when you need it most.

When you register with Aunty Dee:

you will have access to your problems and plans in one handy place

you can revisit your plans and your problems and the ideas and solutions you generated at any time

you can save what you're doing at any point in the process, and come back to it later

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List your problems Generate ideas Find a solution You can use Aunty Dee to work through one problem, or you can ask about many problems and use Aunty Dee over and over again - it's completely up to you. And you can use Aunty Dee on your mobile phone, tablet, laptop or personal computer.

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Looking after mental health during COVID 19

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Looking after mental health during COVID 19

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How to look out for yourself during this time

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It's a tense time for most of us. COVID-19 is scary, and it's rapidly changing the way we work, socialise, travel, access healthcare, exercise, shop and live. We know many people are feeling anxious, stressed, worried and scared.

It's time to work out how we're going to look after our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our whānau and community as we get through this - together.

The number one message we want New Zealanders to hear is this: we will get through this if we work together. Connecting with people who make you feel safe and loved is the most important thing you can do to look after your mental health and the mental health of people around you. "Self-isolation" or staying at home makes this difficult, but not impossible. We're going to have to get creative.

We also know that things are really tough right now for some people who live with mental illness. Stress and anxiety can make things worse. While we don't have all the answers, know we're sending you love and strength and our wellbeing tips below are designed to work for you (however you're feeling right now). Our FAQ answers some of the questions we've been receiving.
You can free call or text 1737 at any time to speak with a trained counsellor - it's free and confidential.
We'll be updating this part of our website as often as we can with new information, resources and material. We're also active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, where we'll be sharing ways to support wellbeing and asking you to share the things that are helping you get through. We hope you'll join us. He waka eke noa - we're all in this together.

Nga mihi nui,
The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Top tips to get through

Looking after our wellbeing is essential right now. We can't afford not to do it. Our top tips to get through are based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Whā.
View the top tips
FAQs

We've prepared answers to your frequently asked questions about looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19.
View the FAQs

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Mental Health - Looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19

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It's time to work out how we're going to look after our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our whānau and community as we get through this - together. The number one message we want New Zealanders to hear is this: we will get through this if we work together.