Mental Wellbeing Navigator for the Central Lakes area appointed

Central-Lakes Mental Wellbeing Recovery Group Media Release

A nurse with a passion for family support and postnatal care has been appointed to the role of Mental Wellbeing Navigator for the Central Lakes area.

Lisa Gear takes on the newly created role following a career in mental health, paediatric and neonatal nursing, and a recent role with Able Southern Family Support working with families with a loved one with a mental health and/or addiction issues.

“The role covered the Central Lakes area, promoting mental health well-being and awareness and making health providers aware of the importance of supporting children in houses of mental health and addictions.

“I have seen first-hand the real challenges that some people can experience navigating their way to the services that are available to them. When this position was advertised, I could immediately see the value of it and was keen to make a difference in this area.”

The Mental Wellbeing Navigator role was established by the Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group, which formed following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Including members from Southern DHB, WellSouth Primary Health Network, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Lakes Family Services and Tahuna-Whakatipu Māori Community, the group provided a connection point for agencies seeking to support the community in this unprecedented time.

While a number of initiatives and roles have been established in the past year in the area – from the Kia Kaha Hub to the Health Improvement Practitioners now working in general practices – the group identified the need for a role that could help ‘join the dots’. The role’s aim is to help build awareness of the services that are available, and connect people with the support they may need.

Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group Chair Adell Cox says the group is excited to have make an appointment to this new role.

“COVID-19 has challenged us all, and Central Lakes has been specifically impacted by the disruption to our economy and international communities. We’ve all needed to work in different ways, and this includes the health and wellbeing sector. We are excited to have someone with Lisa’s experience join us in supporting this part of New Zealand through this challenging time in our history.”

The Mental Wellbeing Navigator role is a two year position, reporting to Central Lakes Family Services. It has been made possible by the generous funding from Central Lakes Trust, Wakatipu Greatest Needs Fund, Community Trust South and Lotteries New Zealand.

ENDS