Youth of Canterbury are struggling with the “new normal” post earthquake

By announcing $1.75 million of funding for its Young People sector, The Canterbury Community Trust is acknowledging children and young people in Canterbury are still dealing with anxiety and mental health issues, as they try to adapt to the ‘new normal’ of living in post earthquake Canterbury.

According to Trust Chief Executive, Louise Edwards, a greater proportion of funding has been earmarked for services that target young people in crisis, noting many young people are exhibiting worrying signs of ongoing post traumatic stress. The Trust received funding requests totalling $3.42 million for the Young People sector, against a budget of $1.44 million.

Feedback from stakeholders in the Young People sector highlighted the continued need for services such as youth workers in schools, mentoring and mental health services in the Canterbury area.

“We are hearing young people living in rural areas in our region find distance and cost of travel a barrier to access health services, training, employment and activities. Those from displaced families who had to move from Christchurch after the earthquakes are finding it difficult to adjust to their new, more rural settings.”

“Preventative programmes are essential in ensuring young people do not become vulnerable and know how to access services.” says Ms Edwards.

Research underpins the importance of early intervention in children’s lives to ensure they are able to fully participate in society, with further evidence that supporting children with protective factors can mitigate negative factors early on in life.

“Rather than cut a swath through our applications and allocate smaller amounts to everyone, we are taking a more pragmatic and long-term view in approving funding to groups operating at the crisis end of the sector who are dealing with our most vulnerable young people,” Ms Edwards says.

One example of this approach is a new multi-year funding agreement with Cholmondeley Children’s Centre, the only community-based short term and emergency respite care provider for at-risk-children in New Zealand, and one of the few international facilities of its kind. Their service primarily works outside of the statutory sector and only some of the families referred had involvement with Child, Youth and Family. They provide short-term respite care for children 3 to 12 years.

“Cholmondeley continues to experience an increased level of demand. This is due to a combination of factors such as ongoing post earthquake stressors which cause significant levels of distress for families, along with disruption to a family’s usual support system.”

“By supporting them through a multi-year funding partnership, the Trust is not only recognising the importance of their work in the community but is providing them with a level of confidence around the continuing provision of their services.” says Ms Edwards.

So where do the problems in our Young People sector lie? The CERA Youth Wellbeing Survey highlighted the top three stressors facing our young people currently include the loss of places to meet, the loss of sports and recreational facilities, and living in a damaged environment. This is still the case in 2015.

“New Zealand has some key changes on the horizon,” says Ms Edwards, “With an ageing population and the rising costs associated with this, more than ever we need our economy to be productive.”

“Investment in younger, disadvantaged children will make the most difference around increasing future skills and productivity. There are greater benefits for all when investments are made earlier in a child’s life, when key cognitive and physical development processes are occurring.”

“We all need to work together to understand what shapes children in their early years and to work to improve their outcomes. It is essential for the whole country, that our young people have a solid platform to springboard into adulthood,” says Ms Edwards.

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