Search Results

Akasha Te Amo Liana Rio Trustee | Mema o te Poari About me "I understand what it is to go through grief, loss and cycles of mental health. I support the kaupapa, its focus on tamariki and rangatahi and the importance of Skylight’s work. I am also passionate about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, how we address mental health using a Te Triti-based model, and the journey Skylight is on to become a Te Tiriti-based organisation. I am here to learn from the rangatira on the Board and ensure that Skylight has long term aspirations and intergenerational impact." Akasha was drawn to the Board because the people on the Board are passionate about the Skylight staff and the clients and want to make a difference. She wants to go beyond the Crown-Māori relationship and see an authentic understanding of Te Tiriti throughout all facets of society. Akasha has a Masters Degree in Māori/Pacific and Indigenous People’s Law, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Social Sciences. Next Previous

Work with us Explore our personal development and job opportunities Professional development opportunities Explore Skylight’s professional development opportunities – tailored training, webinars, and presentations to support those working with children, young people, and families. Learn more . Job opportunities At Skylight, we’re always interested in hearing from people who are passionate about supporting others through life’s challenges. If you believe your skills and values align with our work, we’d love to hear from you – even if we don’t have a specific role advertised. We’re especially interested in connecting with qualified counsellors who would like to join our network and work alongside us to provide compassionate, evidence-based support to individuals, whānau, and communities. If you’d like to explore opportunities with us, please get in touch with [email protected] You might also be interested in: Professional development opportunities Our supporters Contact us Get involved

Counselling... what is it all about? Meeting someone new can be a bit scary sometimes. We might not know what to expect and what the person is expecting of us. Sometimes, it can be helpful to have some information before you meet someone new. You might also be interested in: Grief 101 for Parents The Power of Journaling

Tania Vincent Trustee | Mema o te Poari About me "I’ve always volunteered. Skylight’s mission resonated with me – as a mum supporting kids is very important to me. Too many of our young people are represented in the suicide statistics. I wanted to help. I wanted to be part of something that increased the resilience of young people and built life skills. Skylight’s work with tamariki and rangatahi in their time of need is having an impact and I want to see that impact extended. We are one of the best kept secrets in Aotearoa – given our success we should have a larger national profile." With a career that spans high-level advisory and executive roles in both international and domestic environments, Tania understands the complexities of navigating public, private, and non-profit sectors. She is currently a Senior Partner at Tregaskis Brown, focusing on business strategy, business transformation, governance, supporting effective investment management decision making and organisational performance. A chartered accountant, Tania has Bachelors degrees in Accounting and History. She has a strong network of people within the public and NGO sectors and proven financial capability, reporting, programme, project management and contract management expertise. Next Previous

Matika An eight week programme to support tamariki through loss and grief. About Matika Matika is a supportive, therapeutic programme created especially for tamariki aged 6–12 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Designed with a resilience-building and trauma-informed approach, Matika helps tamariki understand, express, and process their grief in a safe, nurturing environment. Matika is an eight-week programme, run once a week during the school term. Each session blends therapeutic and psychoeducational activities, using art, play, discussion, and connection to help tamariki make sense of their loss and find healthy ways to move forward. The programme is closed-group, meaning the same small group of children attend each week — allowing for deep trust, safety, and individualised attention. We welcome up to nine children per programme to ensure each child receives the care and support they need. Tamariki can be referred by a counsellor, school, GP, or self-referred by their whānau. How Matika Works Each session is co-facilitated by two trained, experienced counsellors (our Matika buddies), with support from an intern counsellor or psychology graduate. Activities are designed to: Encourage expression through creative play and art Teach tamariki to name and understand their feelings Build emotional awareness and regulation skills Foster a sense of connection and belonging Help tamariki discover their inner strengths and resilience After completing the eight-week programme, tamariki will: Understand how grief and loss happen differently to each person, but they are experienced by all. Feel connected to their loved ones who have passed. Be able to identify their feelings and emotions, validating them and expressing them in a healthy way. Have a range of practical ideas for managing difficult feelings. Be able to tap into their internal or external resources when experiencing challenging times. Be able to ask for help or support from their whānau Build stronger bonds with whānau and others who support them Upcoming dates Term 4 2025: Wellington Term 1 2026: Lower Hutt Term 2 2026: Wellington Term 3 2026: Porirua Term 4 2026: Kapiti Contact us today to learn more or register your interest ([email protected] ). We are here to help. You might also be interested in: Sound Bridge Travellers Tai-oranga Matika Pathfinders Heart Song Awhi Mai Awhi Atu Parenting Through Separation

Travellers Travellers is a school-based resilience programme designed for Year 9 students navigating challenging life transitions. Empowering young people to navigate life’s journey. Travellers is a nationally recognised, school-based programme developed by Skylight in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Designed for Year 9 students navigating challenging life transitions—such as loss, family change, or starting secondary school—Travellers builds the essential life skills of resilience, confidence, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing . Through the powerful metaphor that "life is a journey," students explore their own stories, challenges, and strengths in a small-group setting led by trained facilitators. Travellers has supported thousands of young people across Aotearoa since its launch in 2001, and is backed by ongoing research, evaluation, and a trusted reputation in schools. A recent independent evaluation by ImpactLab revealed that for every $1 invested in Travellers, $3.30 of measurable social good is returned to New Zealand. This equates to $2,563 of social value generated per participant, with outcomes including improved mental health, increased academic achievement, and reduced risky behaviour. About the Training This two-day immersive workshop is your opportunity to become a Travellers Facilitator. Designed primarily for school guidance counsellors and pastoral care staff, it equips you to deliver the programme with confidence, care, and creativity. What to expect: Experience Travellers from the inside out – participate as both a student and a facilitator to gain deep insight into the programme. Explore the ‘life journey’ framework and learn how to guide students through eight interactive, themed sessions. Hands-on, practical training facilitated by Skylight’s experienced trainers. Learn about the full Travellers kit , including manuals, tools, and access to the online student wellbeing survey. By the end of the training, you’ll be ready to lead impactful groups that help students recognise their strengths, process change, and build lasting connections—all within a safe, supportive environment. Dates and locations Term 2 Auckland: 25/26 June Term 3 New Plymouth: 30/31 July Whangarei: 13/14 August (FULL) Dunedin: 3 /4 September Christchurch: 10/11 September Contact [email protected] for more information or to enquire about 2026 trainings. You might also be interested in: Tai-oranga Matika Pathfinders Awhi Mai Awhi Atu

Jahnya shares her story This webisode features Jahnya sharing her story of how she has survived suicide or lost a friend or whānau member to suicide – it is for rangatahi by rangatahi. The personal experiences shared in the following video may be disturbing for some viewers as she talks about suicide. You might also be interested in: Journeys Through Methamphetamine Addiction Matty - Resilience Web Series Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Bella - Resilience Web Series

Trauma Trauma is a response to either a one-time event or to many adverse experiences over time. Trauma — Skylight Trust Trauma is a response to either a one-time event – such as an earthquake – or to many adverse experiences over time – such as Domestic Violence. After a distressful event, each person involved, will have a different reaction . For some of us, those reactions may be unpredictable emotions, flashbacks of the event, physical symptoms like anxiety, digestive problems, sweating, nausea, dizziness, and an affect on your eating and sleeping patterns etc. What your reaction will be, is dependent on personal factors, but it is important to remember that: traumatic reactions can happen to all of us. It is difficult to manage your reactions to unexpected events, that are out of your control. after a traumatic event, many people can have long-lasting problems, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the symptoms you are experiencing after a traumatic event are the expected responses of your body and mind, trying to adjust. You are not going crazy, but you may need support if the responses are persistent or interfering with your daily life many psychologically well-adjusted and physically healthy people develop PTSD. Remember you are not the only one feeling this way, many people will respond the same to a distressful event by understanding trauma symptoms better, a person can become less fearful of them and better able to manage them, asking for support if they need. You might also be interested in: Helping Tamariki and Rangatahi Cope with Natural Disasters Anxiety Abusive relationships How to build resilience Subscribe to our newsletter Looking for more support? Get insights, tools, and stories from Skylight — and a free guide to help you get started. You can unsubscribe at any time. First name Email address* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Subscribe By submitting this form, you consent and agree to Skylight Trust collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy . If you have any questions or wish to view or amend your information, please email us at [email protected]

Bella - Resilience Web Series Bella focuses on how resilience is finding your voice and bouncing back. By sharing her experiences, she shows the importance of finding strength through connections and community. You might also be interested in: Trevney shares his story Rose - Resilience Web Series Practical Strategies for Self-Care and Resilience Good Mood and Food

Loss of job Losing your job, for any reason, can be as stressful as losing a loved one. Here you can find different ideas to get you through this challenging time. Having a job is, for most people, more than just being able to provide for ourselves and our families. It is a key part of our identity. It is where we usually spend most of our time and it has a unique meaning for each person. A job is also the way in which we contribute to our community and wider society. Our employment is a big part of our self-image and being satisfied with it, has a great impact on our self-esteem and well being. It is safe to say that losing our job is overwhelming and challenging, in a way similar to a relationship breakdown, or an illness. I have lost my job: is it ok to feel like this? No one wishes to be unemployed – unless it is our decision, in which case we would call it a “sabbatical” - but sometimes we have to go through this situation, without expecting it. As with any loss, when we lose our jobs we may feel: Strong waves of feelings: anger, sadness, anxiety, fear Like your goals and/or plans are being frustrated Stress and depression symptoms Changes in our body: increased blood pressure, cholesterol, weight gain or loss, sleep disorders Lack or purpose: we have no place to go every day, it breaks our routine Lonely or socially disconnected: our work environment is a source of support and connection to others. Why is it so different for some people? Grieving after any loss differs from person to person. How big the impact of losing our job would be for us, will depend on different factors. For example: Our support network: Who do we have around us that could help? Our self-esteem: People with a healthy self-esteem and who value themselves beyond their occupation, may feel more in control and may bounce back faster The moment in our life: Are we young and living with our parents? Are we young and living by ourselves? Are we in a relationship with no children, with young children, with older children? Single, but have children or family to support? Are we of a mature age with savings? etc. Each of these situations will present a different challenge for us. What kind of job was it? First job, temporary job, part time and do we have other jobs as well? How satisfied were we with the job? Do we have savings or other sources of income to depend on? What can we do? In any of those cases, it might be useful to come up with a plan to help you build resilience and regain control over the situation. Here are some useful tips: If you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed, look for a mental health professional who can help you deal with your feelings. Talking to someone can be useful Maintain a routine: Get up at a certain time every day, exercise Accept support from friends and family: It doesn’t need to be money, you will be surprised how incredibly useful is to have someone to take the children to the playground, or preparing a meal for the family, or offering to walk your dog. Having help with the little routine tasks will give you time to focus and plan for your next steps Work with someone – A Counsellor, a therapist - this can help you identify your skills that can be useful in a new field, so you can expand your job search Network with professionals in your area: online tools and websites such as Linkedin are useful for this Spend time meeting new people: Taking up volunteer work or joining a community group will help Make a financial plan and prioritise: Be realistic and stick to your budget, and organise your income to include a small amount of “leisure pocket money”. Remember this situation will be temporary, but you need to be money-wise at the same time as being optimistic. Glass half-full Remember you have the option to see the positive in every challenge. For example, during the time between jobs you can: Spend more time with whānau and friends Learn new skills – even up-skill in your field, increasing your chances in the job search See the opportunity to evaluate your life and re-focus Be open to change: you will emerge a different person after this experience Start a savings plan, if you don’t have one. Resources and Support This experience, although it can be distressful and challenging, is not unusual. You are not alone, there are different organisations you can connect with that can support you in different ways: Skylight Counselling and Resources: Support for you and/or your family while you go through the process of leaving your job, being unemployed and finding another job. Citizen Advice Bureau : A free service that helps people know and understand their rights and obligations and how to use the information to get the best outcomes and gives them the confidence and support they need to take action. Work and Income : Access to different benefits you can apply for while looking for another job. New Zealand Now : Once you have full residency, you and your family can access the reassurance of the public welfare system that provides comprehensive support in a range of situations. You might also be interested in: Delayed grief Subscribe to our newsletter Looking for more support? Get insights, tools, and stories from Skylight — and a free guide to help you get started. You can unsubscribe at any time. First name Email address* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Subscribe By submitting this form, you consent and agree to Skylight Trust collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy . If you have any questions or wish to view or amend your information, please email us at [email protected]

Brittany shares their story This webisode features Brittany sharing their story of how they have survived suicide or lost a friend or whānau member to suicide – it is for rangatahi by rangatahi. The personal experiences shared in the following video may be disturbing for some viewers as they talk about suicide. You might also be interested in: Trevney shares his story Journeys Through Methamphetamine Addiction Matty - Resilience Web Series Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Bella - Resilience Web Series

Bereavement When someone close to you dies Bereavement is the term used to describe the time of sadness and loneliness experienced after the death of someone you love. Grief refers to the emotions and reactions we have and is a normal and natural response to loss. It takes time and can affect every part of us. The emotional and mental pain that is so intense, will gradually ease, even though you may not feel like it will. Grief can be so powerful, and ebbs and flows like a wave. The thoughts, feelings , and reactions you have can: come and go crash on you all at once blend into each other be brief and intense be hard to describe be scary or numbing and paralysing feel out of control or be delayed and come later. Grief is hard work and can leave you feeling exhausted. It is Ok, not to feel Ok. Everyone is different , your grief is unique to you. There is no wrong or right way to experience grief, grief has no rules or timetable, it will eventually get easier to handle. Take the time and space you need to grieve in your own way. Your loss will always be part of your life and will be triggered every now and then and it may feel like it is one step forward and two backwards. Your grief healing process isn't about fixing it, or making it disappear, it is about assisting you to adjust to all the changes in your life, by helping you to come to terms with it physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Tips for managing your grief: allow yourself to cry letting it out- getting it out small bursts at a time - talk it, write it, draw it, do it physically by playing a sport connect with friends and family to share memories telling someone you trust what is going on inside you, can be a great release look after yourself - eat well, drink water, exercise, get enough sleep and be gentle on yourself. You might also be interested in: Bereavement at different ages and stages Depression How to talk to children about death Delayed grief Subscribe to our newsletter Looking for more support? Get insights, tools, and stories from Skylight — and a free guide to help you get started. You can unsubscribe at any time. First name Email address* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Subscribe By submitting this form, you consent and agree to Skylight Trust collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy . If you have any questions or wish to view or amend your information, please email us at [email protected]