From the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield:

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  • Help with Mental Distress after Christchurch Tragedy - this free resource is available which aims to help people who are experiencing distress because of the recent Christchurch tragedy.

  • “The Ministry of Health and Helpline 1737 have created resources which give advice for those experiencing mental distress, including how to help and support children, and help with grief. After a traumatic event, for people directly involved, who have family and friends involved, who work in services that are part of the response to the event, and for the wider community, it is normal to feel distressed, and to experience symptoms of stress,” Dr Bloomfield said.

A free counselling service is available by calling or texting "1737", anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A collection of wellbeing resources developed to support the response and recovery following the 15 March incident in Christchurch is now available in one place on our website<https://govt.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f59fcd18a691d315b5a045cb&id=2ec8c22e5a&e=4c1fa23446>. This includes guidance to help you support students who viewed footage of the attacks.

In the wake of the deeply sad events in Christchurch the Ministry of Health and 1737 have created resources which give advice for those experiencing mental distress, including how to help and support children, and help with grief. You can read more here<https://1737.org.nz/trauma/index.html>.