Kia Kaha
 
Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the most wonderful countries in the world, and we're blessed to call it home. However, as we are all too aware, it can be a turbulent and unpredictable land. 

The recent earthquakes of 2011, 2013 and now 2016 have reminded us of the powerful fault lines that run up and down the country, and whilst they can be a source of fear, worry and pain, we have seen the church rise up to share God's love and grace in these times. We have also been shaken by the recent terrorist attacks in Christchurch in March 2019, and in 2020 we're grappling with the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst we know that 'perfect love casts out fear' we sometimes need the tools and words to help comfort and encourage our kids and families in difficult times. There are some great resources and organisations who have put together some important resources, and we have listed some below.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 46:1-2

Mental Health and Anxiety

Mental Health

• A Theology of mental Health: An article and talk by Rev. Will van der Hart, Pastoral Chaplain at Holy Trinity Brompton and a Director of Mind and Soul Foundation. 
• Seriously Awkward - Youth group sessions (Children's Society UK) 
• Lifting the Lid: Six bible studies exploring God’s heart for mental health from the Mind and Soul Foundation
• Mental Health Pocketbook (Government Health and Safety Lead)

Anxiety, stress and worry

• The Worry Bug: Anxiety can impact children and families in many ways. This project seeks to recognise and address mild to moderate anxiety in homes and classrooms.
• Sparklers was developed in response to requests from the education sector for tools to help them support and promote the wellbeing of young Cantabrians, and they have put together a great website. They have some helpful covid resources up too, see here. They also did an interview on RNZ: Tools for reducing anxiety and helping children with wellbeing in August 2020
• ​Coping with stress and anxiety​:  Guidance for emergency response workers, health staff and volunteers on how to cope with stress and anxiety in an emergency situation, from Ministry of Health (2011)​​
• Advice if you're upset by the news (BBC Newsround) 

Disaster and Trauma

• How to talk to Children about Terrorism: Highlights the importance of asking questions, point out the heroes, use drawings, keeping things simple, and making space for hugs. 
• Ministry of Health - Helping Children: Children have their own ways of dealing with trauma according to their stage of development.
• 10 Tips for helping children cope with disaster: From Save the Children
• Safe and Sound video (Nigel Latta)
• 5 components of psychological first aid: Psychological First Aid Toolkit—What’s in Yours?
• National Youth Leaders advice: Some helpful links and tips on helping young people process this tragedy from our National youth leaders

Grief and Bereavement

• Tricia Hendry is a well known, trusted and respected trainer in the areas of grief and bereavement. She brings a wealthy of knowledge and hope into a difficult topic, and has been a life-giving resource to our New Zealand churches. 
• Skylight have some fabulous resources to help support families going through bereavement, stress, family breakdown, suicide and depression. They also run a youth resilience programme called Travellers, operating in 150 schools in New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Tricia Hendry

Earthquakes

• When trauma and grief come to work: A practical handbook from Skylight (2011) for organisations, employers and managers to support staff, clients and customers after the Canterbury earthquakes.
• All Right?: A campaign to help Cantabrians talk to their friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues about whether they’re really ok in the wake of the earthquakes. There's also a specific page for parents.
• Wellbeing for parents: Supporting children through change in response to school change in Christchurch following the earthquakes, from Shaping Education (2013)
• Where is God in Christchurch?
• Getting Kids' Attention
• Team Building for all ages
• Helping Families Deal with Stress​

Worship and Song