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
Mental Health and Addiction Service Navigation
Waitaha - Canterbury
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Therapy Service for Muslims
This service provides online psychological intervention to individuals impacted by
the March 2019 Mosque attacks in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It aims to take an
Islamic perspective on wellbeing.
What does this service offer?
Up to six free online therapy sessions with a registered psychologist (therapist).
Download/print information about this service
How to access this service:
Individuals need to be referred via one of the following services:
• Christchurch Resettlement Services
• Purapura Whetu
• General Practitioner (GP)
I've been referred to this service - what's next?
Once you have been referred, you can choose a therapist from the list below and contact them directly to
arrange your first session or to discuss your needs.
Therapists
Registered Clinical Psychologist Assalamu Alaikum, Please contact me if you would like to arrange a session.
Waheeda Goga
My name is Waheeda Goga. I am a NZ registered Muslim Clinical Psychologist originally from South Africa. I have experience in women's health psychology, trauma, depression and anxiety and working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. I also have experience in offering online services and am fluent in English. I look forward to offering safe, confidential and tailored services to members of the Christchurch Muslim community.
Available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Call 027 317 3467 or click here to email me
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Areej ArifRegistered Psychologist Kia Ora and AlSalam Alaikum, Please contact me if you would like to arrange a session. |
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Asma ShahRegistered Psychologist Alsalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah, Please contact me if you would like to arrange a session. |
Interpreters
Our therapists are fluent in a variety of languages including English, Arabic, Dari/Farsi and Urda.
This service offers interpreters for those who require them free of charge (given an interpreter with the required
language is available). If an interpreter is required, please ask your referrer to contact MHERC (email or 0800 424 399)
to advise what language is needed. MHERC will arrange an appropriate interpreter and provide their details to the referrer.
Data Privacy
All clients details and information will remain private and confidential. Therapists will provide anonymous data to
MHERC for statistical purposes and to report on service uptake.
Urgent Mental Health Care
Please note this is not a crisis service. For urgent or crisis mental health care please contact Single Point of
Entry/Crisis Resolution services at Te Whatu Ora - 0800 920 092 (24 hours, 7 days).
Our Alcohol and Other Drug Online Groups aim to help participants to develop knowledge and strategies around harm reduction, relapse prevention, wellbeing and more.
These online groups give attendees the opportunity participate and connect with others or remain anonymous if they choose.
- New participants are welcome any time
- No registration is needed - click the links below to join the Zoom meetings at the scheduled time
- Please note this is not a clinical service
Recovery 24/7
Mondays 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Do you want to reduce harm associated with alcohol and other drug use? This group aims to provide education on addiction and help attendees develop strategies for improved health and wellbeing.
Supported by CareNZ
Support for Whānau Impacted by Alcohol or Drugs
Tuesdays 12.00pm - 1.00pm
This group is for anyone impacted by a loved one's use of alcohol and drugs to share and be heard. This online group offers peer support to empower and provide hope with an empathetic approach.
Facilitated by Familial Trust
Addiction Workforce Sharing Space
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
Family/Whānau Support
Thursdays 12.00pm - 1.00pm
This group is open to family/whānau members impacted by alcohol and other drug use of people they care about. It focuses on building resilience and coping strategies through information sharing, learning about available services and understanding the journey that family/whānau experience.
Facilitated by Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand
Peer Support Fridays
Fridays 12.00pm - 1.00pm
A peer-led discussion group to support each other in developing strategies and sharing experiences on staying safe around alcohol and other drugs.
Facilitated by Sharon Bennett
Please note: Groups are not held on public holidays.
Groups are coordinated by Marc Beecroft, Regional AOD Consumer Advisor.
Contact MHERC here for more information about these groups.
More online groups
See our Talk Time Online page for our current selection of online groups here.
Talk Time Online offers free educational online groups for people to start a kōrero about mental wellbeing and learn helpful tips. Groups give people the opportunity to participate or remain anonymous if they choose.
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Rainbow Diversity and How to Be a Supportive AllyInteractive Educational Group for Rainbow Allies Increase your understanding of rainbow diversity and learn ways to promote healthy, inclusive environments for rainbow people in Aotearoa through interactive discussions. Each week will explore a new topic, including sexual orientation and attraction, gender minorities, intersex and VSC people, supporting rainbow relationships and creating safe spaces for rainbow people.
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Alcohol and Other Drug Online GroupsGroups to assist your wellbeing and AOD recovery journey We offer a range of alcohol and other drug (AOD) discussion groups that provide an online platform for participants to develop strategies and knowledge around harm reduction, relapse prevention, wellbeing and more. Participants can choose to join in as much as they feel comfortable or to remain anonymous.
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Connecting Through MotherhoodWeekly educational discussion group for new mums Connect with other mums and bubs for informal discussions guided by a psychologist. This six-week online series will explore topics that will help support you as you navigate motherhood. This group is open to mothers of babies under two years old. Discussion will cover topics such as emotional regulation, mental load, the perfect mother myth and more.
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Habits and Hints for WellbeingWeekly group series to develop skills to support mental health This interactive six-week group offers discussion and tips on mental wellbeing strategies, facilitated by an experienced mental health professional. Each week focuses on a new topic including common stresssors, the impact of thoughts, assertiveness, and being prepared for setbacks. Choose which topics you'd like to attend or join the whole series.
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Tools for Managing AnxietyInteractive group to learn and share tips to help with anxiety Join this supportive discussion group to learn and share information and strategies for coping with anxiety, facilitated by an expert mental health professional. This is a five-week series and participants can choose which sessions they would like to attend. Topics include challenging anxious thoughts, healthy coping strategies and cognitive restructuring.
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Please note: Talk Time Online is not a clinical service.
For more information or enquiries about Talk Time Online please contact us here.