Free On-Demand Education for Tāngata Whaiora
We’re excited to announce an exciting addition to Talk Time Online — a collection of free, on-demand video series created to make mental health and wellbeing resources easily accessible for all. This initiative delivers expert insights and practical tools directly to the community through our dedicated YouTube channel.
Education is a powerful tool for change. By sharing knowledge in an easy-to-access format, we aim to break down barriers and empower people to take proactive steps for their mental wellbeing. Life is busy, and attending scheduled or in-person sessions isn’t always an option. Our Talk Time Online On-Demand series on Youtube, makes it possible for people to learn at their own pace and at a convenient time for them.
The expert-led video series are:
- Habits and Hints for Living Well
Learn simple, effective habits to build resilience, maintain emotional balance, and support overall wellbeing. These videos offer everyday tips that can make a big difference.
- Practical Parenting
Parenting can be rewarding and challenging. This series provides guidance for navigating family life, managing stress, and fostering healthy relationships with children.
- Motherhood and Matrescence
Becoming a mother is a profound transition. Explore what matrescence means, how it impacts identity and wellbeing, and discover strategies for self-care during this life-changing stage.
- From Spiral to Steady: Understanding and Easing Anxiety
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to control your life. This series offers tools to calm the mind, manage spiralling thoughts, and regain a sense of steadiness.
- Rainbow Diversity and How to Be a Supportive Ally
Inclusion matters. Learn how to create safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals and become an ally who makes a positive difference in your community.
Talk Time Online is a valuable resource to add to your kete, supporting your work with tāngata whaiora and enhancing the resources available to them. These videos, alongside our live Talk Time Online groups, can serve as a complementary resource to existing services or as a helpful tool for those awaiting access to care.
MHERC would like to thank Rātā Foundation for funding this project.
Please note: These videos are age-restricted as they are intended for adults only. To view them, please ensure you are logged into your YouTube account.
Learn more here: TALK TIME ONLINE | LEARNING ON-DEMAND
Talk Time Online | Learning On-Demand
Talk Time Online is now offering a collection of free on-demand series. Packed with practical mental health tips, these videos provide simple, empowering tools to boost resilience and enhance wellbeing. Log in to YouTube to watch now!
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Habits and Hints for Living WellLife can be full of stress, change, and uncertainty, but you don't have to navigate it alone. In this series, Dr Chris Taua shares practical strategies to help you build resilience, improve wellbeing, and prepare for life's challenges. |
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Practical ParentingLed by Catherine Gallagher, Registered Clinical Psychologist, this series blends psychological insight with real-world strategies that are easy to understand and use. Each episode is designed to empower adults with knowledge, language, and practical skills that support healthier relationships, emotional wellbeing, and safe development. |
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Motherhood and MatrescenceExplore the transformative journey of motherhood through this insightful series. Registered Psychologist, Christina Bond delves into the emotional, psychological, and physical changes that occur during matrescence, the process of becoming a mother. |
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Rainbow Diversity and How to Be a Supportive AllyJoin Vicky Wood and Tasha Smith as they introduce the concept of SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) and share why understanding rainbow identities matters. Learn how language, culture, and history shape our understanding of diversity and why allyship is essential in creating inclusive environments. |
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Spiral to Steady: Understanding and Easing AnxietyAnxiety can feel like a never-ending spiral or racing thoughts, constant worry, and the urge to avoid what scares us. But there is a way forward. Presented by Dr Chris Taua, this series offers practical, science-based strategies to help you understand anxiety and move toward calm and control. |
This series was kindly funded by Rātā Foundation.
Mental Health and Addiction Service Navigation
Waitaha - Canterbury
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All Listings Alphabetical - Waitaha Canterbury
Te Tai Poutini West Coast
AOD Services List (pdf document)
Recovery Journey - Care |Promotion | Prevention
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Online discussion groups continue to offer hope in a post-pandemic world
Talk Time Online, a service offering free educational online discussion groups, continues to support hundreds of Cantabrians with their mental wellbeing.
The service began in 2020 in the middle of the global pandemic. Many mental health and addictions services had to close their doors, leaving vulnerable people without support.
The Mental Health Education and Resource Centre [MHERC] and Regional Alcohol and Drug [AOD] Consumer Advisor Marc Beecroft identified a need for a support service and set up Zoom to Noom, a series of online AOD education and discussion groups.
The groups, which were publicly available through MHERC’s website, offered anonymity—no registration was necessary—and members were welcome to turn off their cameras and use the chat function to communicate.
It removed some of the barriers to access, including transportation, time, and cost, and offered an alternative to in-person meetings.
Feedback was positive, and after lockdown ended many members returned to the groups week after week for support and connection.
Blair*, is in recovery after smoking methamphetamine every day for almost 18 years.
“The first zoom meeting I met some lovely faces and immediately felt accepted and such care from them.”
“I have attended almost every Wednesday meeting since, even zooming in from my car if I'm out, rather than miss a meeting.”
“I have almost zero family support and I live remotely with no community support, so the meetings are my sole support.”
“I feel so connected to the wonderful people I have met on these zoom meetings. The sharing of things to help in recovery has been invaluable as these people are so much like me and I trust their advice.”
“To date I have not relapsed once since quitting mid-August 2020.”
The service offers both peer and clinically facilitated education and discussion sessions, which may include a short presentation by an attending topic expert.
Uptake and feedback were encouraging, and the service was expanded to include a number of other online services, including Habits and Hints for Wellbeing, Tools for Managing Anxiety, Connecting through Motherhood and What’s Going on for my Child or Teen?
Tools for Managing Anxiety is a five-week discussion group to learn and share information and strategies for coping with anxiety, facilitated by an expert mental health professional. It continues to run as a regular series, with an average of 100 people registering for each series.
What’s going on for my Child or Teen?—a series of free webinars presented by expert facilitators—was advertised to the community in June 2022. More than 800 people registered, and the series was run again in October 2022.
MHERC director Adele Wilkinson says Talk Time Online offers access to support and education without some of the traditional barriers.
“People can just turn up online—they don’t need to get dressed, get out the door and then travel somewhere. They just need access to a device and the internet.”
“It offers an option for people who could find support in a group setting but would be unlikely to attend in person.”
“I think there is a real possibility to expand this in a big way. It offers up a huge range of possibilities for support and education.”
*Blair’s name has been changed to protect their anonymity.
- 19 October 2023
Join our welcoming, judgement-free groups to kōrero, connect and learn about harm reduction, relapse prevention, and wellbeing around alcohol and other drugs.
- Free to join from anywhere via Zoom.
- Join any week - no registration needed.
- It's your choice to take part or just be there. You are welcome to stay anonymous.
How to attend: Click the links below to join the Zoom meetings at the scheduled time.
Walking with Ngā Atua
Mondays 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Six-week series starts Monday 16 March 2026
This is a supportive online space for people navigating addiction challenges, guided by the depth of te ao Māori. Through pū rākau and the qualities of our atua - their resilience, balance, courage compassion, and connection - we explore new ways of understanding ourselves and our healing journeys. It's a place to reflect, realign, and walk forward with the strength of story, culture, and community beside you.
Everyone is welcome - join any week of the six-week series.
Dates: Runs for six-weeks (excluding public holidays). Monday 16 March, 23 March, 30 March, 13 April, 20 April, 4 May.
Facilitated by Malcolm Mckenna.
Gentle Fridays - Te Ara Wāhine
Fridays 10.00am - 11.00am
Six-week series starts Friday 20 March 2026
A gentle, supportive space for women wanting to reduce harm associated with alcohol and other drug use. Through connection, shared kōrero, and practical education, we build trust, strengthen wellbeing, and empower women to make informed choices at their own pace, without judgment.
All wāhine/women welcome - join any week of the six-week series.
Dates: Runs for six-weeks (excluding public holidays). Friday 20 March, 27 March, 10 April, 17 April, 24 April, 1 May.
Facilitated by Claire Flavell.
Group Resources/Links
The Friday Connect
Every Friday 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Join our informal weekly group where we connect, share experiences, and discuss strategies for staying safe around alcohol and other drugs. Take part in the chat or just be there - everyone is welcome.
Facilitated by Sharon Bennett
Kōrero Whakaora (Recovery Talk)
COMING SOON
A supportive online space for anyone exploring their relationship with alcohol or other drugs in a shame-free environment. Together we look at what's happening in our lives, learn about addiction in a compassionate way, and share practical strategies strategies to reduce harm and strengthen wellbeing. Through kōrero and connection, we explore identity, cravings, and embracing change as we choose the life we want to move toward. This is a place to be heard and to start at your own pace with others who understand.
Facilitated by MHAPS/Comcare
Wednesdays 1.00pm - 2.00pm This is an opportunity for the developing and existing addictions consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) workforce to connect and to share the challenges and learnings that we come across in our work and will offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. Together we can develop our knowledge and skills through shared understanding and collective identity. Join us for CHIME: Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment. Facilitated by Addiction Consumer Leadership Group
Addiction Workforce Sharing Space 
Please note:
- This is not a clinical or peer-support service.
- Groups do not run on public holidays.
See our Talk Time Online page for more online groups here.