This campaign is working to raise money towards a better outpatient facility for youth in Christchurch who need mental health support.

Jaydah and Mia were invited to attend the Maia health foundation's better space appeal opening. 

Every month 400 Canterbury kids are referred for specialist support for their mental health, and the Maia health foundation is working towards creating a facility which adheres to the large demand on our current mental health facilities, such as Princess Margret Hospital; which are overrun, lacking resources, and are cramped. We want to address that under current circumstances, the staff who work at the current facilities are doing the best they can. They are stellar examples of people who care for our youth, and we want to highlight that we are thankful for them and all they do.

Over the last ten years, the number of children and adolescents being seen by a mental health specialist has increased by 121%, compared to a 34% increase in adult demand for mental health services. In the 12 months leading up to June 2023, 4,638 children and adolescents were referred to specialists in Canterbury.

The event included the unveiling of a beautiful sculpture, created by Māori artist Fayne Robinson. The sculpture will be housed in the new mental health facility, currently being built in Christchurch. Along with around 30 other Highschool students with a passion for Wellbeing, we gathered and watched the unveiling of the sculpture. Its significance is that it symbolizes new beginnings for our youth mental health system in Christchurch, and it will be displayed on the bridge of remembrance for four weeks before being transferred to the new facility. We recommend you have a look next time you are in the city centre.

Prompted by the Maia Health foundation, the better space appeal is part of Maias commitment to raise 6 million dollars towards the new outpaitent facility, which will be called “Kahu Rangi”, meaning blue skies; a brighter place for our young people. So far Maia has raised 4.2 million dollars. And we would like to contribute to its goal of reaching the 6-million-dollar mark. So, we hope to hold an event soon here at school which will contribute to the aspirations of the Maia Health foundation, as we believe that all young people deserve the help they need. It is also worth noting that all donations made to the Maia health foundations better space appeal will be matched by the Rata foundation.

Jazz Thornton was at the event. Jazz is a New Zealand mental health activist, filmmaker, author, and speaker. You may know her from her social media, or you may know her from hearing about her inspirational personal mental health journey. Jazz made a point of addressing that we all have a voice. That every single person in Aotearoa has a voice, and they should use it if they are struggling. Whether this be if you as an individual who needs help, or to support somebody around you that is struggling.