A man who came through state care in foster homes, a boys home, corrective training and eventually prison, believes his life has been set back at least 30 years by the way he was treated and the physical and psychological abuse he received.
Stanmore Road Boys Home in Christchurch was sort of a violent place but worse was to come for a man who has shared his experiences with RNZ. (file pic)
Photo: 123RF
Aaron, who is 50, came from a broken home and his interview with RNZ is the first time he has spoken publicly about his experiences in care.
He lived on the street for a year at the age of 9.
Photo: 123rf
If you search google for the phrase climate change counselling , one of first results is a website for a Christchurch practice called Lucid Psychotherapy, which offers ecotherapy services.
Ecotherapy - according to Lucid - is an approach within counselling, psychotherapy, and psychology that recognises the importance of our environment. Ultimately ecotherapy understands that personal and environmental health are interdependent, and cannot ultimately be separated, the website says.
Psychotherapist Michael Apathy works at Lucid Psychotherapy and has been using ecotherapy to help others for about eight or nine years.
Demand is on the rise, he says - although it s an odd one .
The He Puna Waiora inpatient mental health unit.
Photo: RNZ
An independent review commissioned after the deaths of two patients from suspected suicide in May 2019 has identified systemic and culture issues existed at the time.
The DHB said in releasing the results today that it accepted it was responsible.
Among eight key recommendations was a need to prioritise strengthening the unit s leadership and culture.
That included a review of leadership positions, developing procedures for consistent and responsive leadership engagement, and developing an organisational cultural framework.
The second recommendation suggested ways to work towards better focus on consumers - family and whānau.