Women's Mental Health

Unlike other countries New Zealand does not have a specific women's mental health plan. There has however been some local community initiatives developed to support women who are experiencing mental illness.

The Monastery is a wellness retreat which caters for women who may have had experience of trauma, stress or depression.

Guests receive the gift of time to connect with their own wisdom and knowledge, to discover their own needs and to plan, where needed, how they will make changes in their life. Trained staff have backgrounds in a variety of areas in both medical and alternative health, including counselling, massage, energy realignment, time management, leisure education and recreation, the use of plants and herbs for health, reflexology and spa beauty treatments. Visit The Monastery website for more information.

IRIS  is a service in Hamilton taking a fresh approach to working with women.  They're local, mobile, and come to you.  The service is totally women focused.  You can expect compassionate and adaptive approach.

International Link

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml

Ruth D'Souza a New Zealand based academic who always has an interesting perspective on women's mental health issues.

Capital & Coast DHB - The Mental Health & Addiction Service Development Plan 2005 - 2010 The Journey Forward has published "Meeting the needs of women in acute and crisis settings", a guide for best practice when designing new services.