Save the Children New Zealand is working in Christchurch helping families dealing with stress

June 14, 2011

Save the Children New Zealand is already in Christchurch working with children and families to help cope with the stresses caused by the continuing aftershocks.

"The people of Christchurch have been amazingly resilient and our thoughts are with them as they deal once again with the continuing aftershocks," CEO Liz Gibbs said.

"Following the February earthquake we partnered with organisations Plunket, Barnardos and Te Puna Whaiora in Christchurch to deliver the Journey of Hope programmes which build resilience for parents, caregivers and other working with children. It was really important for us to work with organisations that were already working and delivering services in Christchurch.

"We wanted to ensure that the Journey of Hope programme was delivered for Christchurch people by Christchurch people, after-all they are the only ones who really know what it is currently like to live with the aftermath of the earthquake its affects," Chief Executive Liz Gibbs said.

Leah Carr, who is Project Manager of the Journey of Hope programmes in Christchurch, and lives and works in Christchurch said that everybody in the region is working hard to get their lives back on track and that the Journey of Hope programmes are being delivered just at the right time.

"Every day, I hear stories of fear and uncertainty, particularly around children feeling safe and attempting to find some normality in what is not a normal situation," said Leah Carr.

"Schools and teachers are dealing with all sorts of issues from extreme anxiety of either the parents or children to truancy and an increase in bullying. We have seen this with teachers and parents contacting us asking us to help children and parents in their schools or communities and the enquiries are escalating.

"My husband is a teacher and my children attend a school in the CBD, we know within our own family, we are living at an abnormal level of stress and anxiety which unfortunately is now our 'normal'. These last two quakes have really affected all of us - It's like groundhog day, every time you get under that desk you hold onto anything you can find, wondering if this is it this time, and where your children are and are they safe. You wonder Ok how much more can we all withstand mentally and keep holding it together.

"We have a mentality in NZ of 'she'll be right' and we can deal with this on our own. However, I believe if don't assist our children to regain their safety, control and resilience we could potentially have a lot of issues in the future from a mental health perspective.

"It is great to be able to offer such an outstanding programme and a privilege for myself and our local project team of psychologists, and our partners to work with Tara Powell one of the authors of the programme who came here from the United States to be able to really make a difference to the communities recovery. Our whole focus is for Cantabrian's to support Cantabrians and this is why we are partnering with local organisations, who are known and trusted within the communities we are working within," Leah Carr said.

Background to the Journey of Hope programme:

The Journey of Hope programme was first developed by Save the Children in the United States following Hurricane Katrina but has now been adapted to work in New Zealand.

The programmes are a long-term care campaign designed to build resilience and positive coping skills. Through activities including games, art and music, children learn to understand their feelings, develop positive coping strategies and build a sense of hope for the future.

A programme is also available for adults, to help you understand stress, relaxation and self-care, to build your own resilience.

For people requesting the Journey of Hope programme please call 0800 167 168.

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