The group started, she says, at the suggestion of Bernie Kira of Supporting Families Taranaki.
“Bernie was working with members of our families or wider whānau. Supporting Families is focused on helping those who are living with someone with mental illness so she knew people who knew us, so to speak. She suggested a peer support group for the people with the mental wellness issues themselves might be useful and it was!”
Since they first began meeting, the group has become an important part of the lives of each of the members.
“Some of us come to every meeting pretty much every Friday afternoon, while others come just when they feel they are particularly struggling or in need of some company. Sometimes you can’t get to a meeting, but just knowing you have people in the same town as you who understand your struggles and challenges can be what you need.”