Initiative to support and maintain positive mental health launched

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Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow

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The Mana Ake SLC under CCN was disestablished in December 2023. The activity of the group has been transitioned to the Community and Public Health | Te Mana Ora.

Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow provides mental health and wellbeing support for children aged five to 12 years old across Canterbury.

Mana Ake kaimahi are employed by one of 12 providers and work with schools to support teachers, families and whānau when children are experiencing issues that impact their wellbeing such as managing emotions, friendships and bullying, parental separation and grief and loss.

Kaimahi have a diverse range of skills and include psychologists, social workers, counsellors, teachers and youth workers. Kaimahi can work with children and their families at school, in the community or at home and with groups of children in schools. They provide advice, guidance and support for teachers and family/ whānau.

You can talk to your local school to find out about what is being offered by the Mana Ake team.

If you're concerned about your child’s wellbeing or mental health, you should talk to their child's teacher, or a member of the school staff, to check if Mana Ake is the right service to support your child. If your child does not currently attend a school, you can request support directly from Mana Ake via manaakefeedback@cdhb.health.nz

Mana Ake team leaders (kaiarahi) support geographic teams of kaimahi. If you have a query about Mana Ake you can contact the kaiarahi for your area (phone numbers to the right).

See the links under the Related Pages heading to find out more about supporting a child’s wellbeing. This list includes the Mana Ake website.

Mana Ake karakia read by Karaitiana Tickell

E atawhai ana mātou

Te whakatōkia o ngā kakano i ruia mai

E nga māhuri tōtara e tipu ana mō āpōpō.

Nā tātou katoa hei awhi te kaupapa,

Hei mana ake te tū tauira tonu ai.

Haumi ē, Hui ē, Tāiki ē.

We nurture and protect

the seeds sown near and far,

so that they may grow into mighty totara for a not so distant tomorrow.

We embrace our responsibility,

To encourage students on a path of lifelong learning.

Unified, Together, Strong.

Initiative to support and maintain positive mental health launched

30 Apr, 2018 | Return|

Children in Canterbury’s earthquake affected communities are set to benefit from additional support to promote and maintain positive mental health as the first phase of a new initiative is launched.

The first workers of the Government’s initiative to enhance mental health support in schools, Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow, went live in Tamai and Hornby Kāhui Ako (Communities of Learning) today.

The two Kāhui Ako [Tamai and Hornby] were chosen because they have significant diversity and provide an opportunity to improve equitable access to health support and services. The Hornby cluster of schools [Kāhui Ako] reflects the increased demand in the area following post-quake population movement.

Canterbury DHB Chief Executive, David Meates said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to get this initiative underway and start providing practical, hands-on support to schools, children and their whanau.”

The initiative is led by Chair of the Canterbury Clinical Network, Sir John Hansen.

“As more schools come on board the foundations will be built on so we can ensure resources are tailored to the needs of each community and aligned with existing services,” Sir John said.

Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow is being developed collaboratively by people working in education, health, police, Oranga Tamariki, and non-Government Organisations.

The initial design of an electronic pathways tool (Leading Lights) has been created to help education professionals navigate to appropriate health services for children and whanau.

Both the practical and electronic parts of the initiative will continue to be developed in conjunction with schools and shaped by engagement with children and their whanau as it’s progressively rolled out across Canterbury from term 3 (July 2018). Lessons from implementing Mana Ake in the Kāhui Ako will help inform how we can successfully roll out the programme in other schools.

Picture designed by Freepik.