Am I able to be matched with a fieldworker/peer support worker
based on cultural or gender needs?
We aim to make the best match where possible, there are male and female
fieldworkers of varying ages. We also have cultural fieldworkers: 1 Pacific Island specialist fieldworker and 1 Asian specialist fieldworker, fluent in Mandarin,
Cantonese and English in addition to our main stream fieldworkers
Do I have to pay for an appointment at Supporting Families
Auckland/Northland?
No. We provide a free service.
I work during the week, is Supporting Families available in the
evening or at weekends?
We understand the demands of a busy life so aim to provide a flexible
service. We provide appointments from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday but are
not available on weekends. We can meet at your workplace or even on your lunch
hour. Phone a fieldworker to see what's available.
Are you a crisis service?
Supporting Families is not a crisis service but we are on hand to offer
support between the hours of 8.30am to 5pm
Monday to Friday. For any crisis or if urgent assistance is required please
call the Mental Health Crisis Team on 0800 800717. Emergency
Numbers.
I would like to find out about support groups in my area, when do
they run?
We have several support groups on our
website or phone reception on 09 378 9134 for further details
Do I have to have a referral from my GP or another service to
access your service?
You do not need a referral from either a GP or another service. You can
self refer by contacting a fieldworker on 09 378 9134 but another option
might be via the Mental Health Services who may
offer to refer on your behalf.
I don't have access to transport are you able to visit me in my
home?
Yes. we can meet you at your home, your workplace or any place you feel
comfortable in, for example a café or other community setting. We can also meet
you at our Grey Lynn office, North Shore or South Auckland office.
I need more information about my relatives mental illness, can
Supporting Families help?
Supporting Families Fieldworkers are on
hand to help you access any information you might need about a specific mental
illness, we also have a great library for members full of books to help you do just that. Call us
on (09) 378 9134.
What does C.M.H.C stand for?
CMHC stands for Community Mental Health Clinic
I would like to set up a family meeting with the CMHC but don't
know how to go about it, can Supporting Families help?
Yes, we are able to support a family through a wide range of clinical
processes and meetings including assessment, treatment and discharge. A
fieldworker can accompany you to a meeting upon your request. We promote self
advocacy and aim to empower families to advocate for themselves.
How do I become a Supporting Families member and what does it
mean?
Becoming a member means you have access to
our library. It also entitles you to discounts off
upcoming events. If you have a Supporting Families
brochure, there is a membership form on the back
which you can simply fill in and return to Fellowship House PO Box 78-122, Grey
Lynn, Auckland, 1245. Otherwise contact Richard or Cathy on reception for more
details 09 378 9134
I need support urgently, how long will I have to wait for an
appointment?
We aim to respond to referrals from outside agencies or family members
within 72 hours. Otherwise fieldworkers are on hand daily to deal with
telephone enquires and
self referrals.
I would like to talk to someone who has had a similar experience as
me, can you help?
Yes. we have Peer Support Workers who
work along side fieldworkers and are made up of volunteer family members with a
wide range of personal experience. For more information on how to make an
appointment or set up a meeting with one of our peer support workers contact
Rich or Cathy on 09 378 9134
What areas of Auckland/NZ does Supporting families cover?
We have 21 branches Nationwide -
see if there is a branch near you.
What should I do if there isn't a Supporting Families branch in my
area?
Even if there isn't a local branch in your area, simply contact your
nearest
Supporting Families for information on how to access the help and support
you need.
