Red Cross launches new website to help Canterbury Youth

New Zealand Red Cross launches new website to help Canterbury youth

New Zealand Red Cross has launched a brand new website to help young people deal with the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes.

The site “Address the Stress” provides video messages from some of New Zealands top celebrities ranging from sports heroes to musicians, comedians and actors.

The aim of the website is to give Canterbury teenagers the coping skills to get them through uncertain times.

New Zealand Red Cross says it identified a gap with regard to young people affected by the earthquakes accessing trauma recovery resources.

Chief executive John Ware says the website will reassure young people that what they are feeling is normal.

“Our concept is to provide information for youth affected by the earthquakes with the aim of reducing anxiety and reminding people of their social connections with appropriate forms of advice and information.

“There is nothing similar in the digital landscape at this time,” Mr Ware says. He says the website has enjoyed massive support from many high profile New Zealanders such as All Black Dan Carter, Olympic gold medallist Mahe Drysdale and Canterbury cult figure Flat Man who have all provided messages and advice to the site for free.

Experts already working with Canterbury youth give advice on the website and young people living in Canterbury talk about their own experiences.

Mr Ware says while „Address the Stress is for young people dealing with the Canterbury quakes, the advice contained on it can be applied to any natural disaster.

“This is a responsive site where young people can leave advice for their peers on how to cope with tough times and see what music choices celebrities use to help them get through,” says Mr Ware.

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