Population Specific Wellbeing

Promoting wellbeing in specific populations & settings

Men Tane Ora - Well men matter
School counsellors Guidance for wellbeing
Older People Well elders / Well Ageing
Ministering Well - Attending to your wellbeing
Supportive schools for a well staff
Suicide Prevention & Postvention Co-ordinators
As I travel around the country I come into contact with counsellors committed and passionate about their work with students. However, taking a step back, and reflecting on the many conversations I have had with counsellors I would suggest there is an increasingly demoralised school counsellor workforce. Wishing to turn my respect for the work of school counsellors into supportive action and my concern about the wellbeing of school counsellors I have developed this series of wellbeing workshops specifically designed for school counsellors and the school counselling context.

Guiding Well?:

A series of reflective workshops on attending to your wellbeing as school counsellors

Why I am offering these workshops for free?
"I used to be a guidance counsellor but I left and went into private practice. I no longer felt that my work in the school was safe because there were too many external factors which I had no control nor could I influence."
This series of workshops is a response to the above quote. I am a strong supporter of the work of school counsellors and have worked closely with counsellors both here and overseas. Over the past several I have become very conscious of the increasing demand on school counsellors, the complexity of the issues that students are presenting with and the challenges in being able to refer on students.
The first workshop focuses on the theory and the practice of wellbeing and the opportunity for school counsellors to jointly develop a wellbeing outcomes framework for their roles.
The next three workshops will cover wellbeing topics relevant to the roles as well as topics that participants have identified for discussion.
The final workshop in November is a reflection on the year, a stocktake on how the role has impacted on your wellbeing, identify things to change or work on in 2026 and some useful strategies to refresh and sustain yourself for the next year.
The principal outcome will be that by the end of the five workshops there would be a school counsellor wellbeing action plan that has collectively been developed by you, the school counsellors.
Workshop 1: Theoretical foundations of mental wellbeingDifferent outcomes for different purposes - the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approachesYes but what actually do you do? - Working often with complex issues and having to function in a role that has a wide range of outputs / tasks that may not be clearly defined. Social and cultural determinants of Wellbeing Workshop 2:Conceptual models of wellbeing: The Wheel of Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Whā Alone in a team - Operating silo in roles yet part of a school staff - peer support and being managed wellReflective practice - a model for celebrating achievements and on-going learning and adaptingEmbedding of wellbeing thinking in the professional supervision process A wellbeing framework for School Counsellors Workshop 3:The rollercoaster of the highs and lows of being a School CounsellorYes but.. setting boundaries and limitsTired and feeling flat: The tell-tale signs of burnout or despondency and what can be done about itHearing the pain but not owning the pain - Protecting your wairua while engaging with people in distress and understanding vicarious trauma Workshop 4:Facilitators of change and working collaboratively - engaging others to come onboard your waka to join you in your mahi I have pushed and I have pulled but I can't get traction - facing exasperation and disillusionment Clinical safety - working in risk adverse environments Workshop 5:Sprinting or crawling to the end of the year? Taking stock at the end of the year Having a break -The role of intentional recreation Savouring our whānau
Workshop Format
Presentation on wellbeing theory and outcomes to frame and contextualise the group activities Small group work to brainstorm how to translate the outcomes into practical wellbeing action Large group discussion to synthesise the small group discussion
Group Activities
​If there is more than one counsellor at a school attending the workshops then participants are encouraged to view the workshop as a group as they're a numerous group activities. For school counsellors who are sole counsellors in a school, you are encouraged if possible to join up in-person with other school counsellors. School counsellors in rural areas who cannot join up in person with other counsellors will participate in online breakout groups.
Workshop Recordings
Recognising that due to timetabling and counselling demands school counsellors may be able to attend all the workshops. Workshops are also recorded and are available to be viewed for a month after the workshop date.
Guiding Well will be offered again in 2026

Teaching Well: Supportive schools for a well staff

With the growing emphasis on workplace wellbeing there is now a plethora of workplace mental wellbeing programmes on offer. However what is meant by workplace wellbeing is not often clearly defined, with many programmes focusing on work related 'stressors' for staff or using staff wellness approach. As part of a well school, it is just essential to have a well staff as it is to have a well student body. Take the opportunity to learn the underlying principles of wellbeing that inform a sustainable and impactful staff wellbeing plan. Designed specifically for the school context, the workshop examines the theory and the practice of promoting wellbeing through the lens of being part of a school staff.
From Remedial to Sustainable Action
Equipping individual staff members skills or resources to cope more effectively with the stressful or distressing aspects of their jobs or providing an employee assistance programme is only one aspect of a comprehensive staff wellbeing plan. It is common for schools to start their development of their plan at the remedial end of the wellbeing continuum. Consequently the plan developed is more a welfare / wellness plan. Learn the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approaches and the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Meta-evaluations of workplace mental wellbeing programmes indicate that there is little evidence around the efficacy of many workplace wellbeing programmes because they do not address the organisational and systemic factors that act as either enablers of or obstacles to wellbeing. Just as it is recognised that supportive environments are foundational to wellbeing of students, so is it also for a well staff. An effective staff wellbeing programmes responds to the needs of the staff and reflects the cultural make-up of the staff, the values and character of the school. Topics covered in this practical workshop:
  • what is meant by wellbeing and its role in addressing stress and mental distress in staff;
  • the difference between a welfare and a wellbeing approach;
  • staff wellbeing as an industrial relations / conditions of employment issue
  • resilience, coping, thriving? - identifying desired wellbeing outcomes
  • the interface between personal and professional stressors and distressors
  • the impact on staff wellbeing from exposure to trauma and poor mental wellbeing within the student body
  • the key determinants that facilitate wellbeing in the teaching environment
  • what does and what doesn’t contribute to a supportive environment where staff thrive
  • the key components that should be in a staff wellbeing programme
  • designing, implementing and evaluating a staff wellbeing programme
Workshop Recordings:Recognising that due to timetabling demands not all key staff who have responsibility for staff wellbeing will be able to attend all the workshops in the series, workshops are recorded and are available to be viewed for a month after the workshop date.
Drawing on collective impact and transformational change theory and Te Whare Tapa Whā, a conceptual model will be introduced that outlines the eight pou on which a staff wellbeing plan should be based. The strength of this model is that it settings or occupation specific. It requires a depth analysis of the nature, dynamics and demands of the work and the inter-relationships that occur in the work
Building of the learnings from previous workshops and feedback from participants, the workshop now offers a template to guide the development of a staff wellbeing plan
If you are wanting a workshop that will give you a pre-packaged wellbeing programme, then this workshop is not for you. Countless evaluations have shown the limited efficacy of wellbeing programmes that are "inserted" into a school. A staff wellbeing plan must grounded in and responsive to the learnings made out of the reflective analysis and staff consultation stages. In fact, the staff consultation is, in itself, is a wellbeing activity. Take the opportunity to hear from an award winning wellbeing specialist about:
  • the wellbeing continuum and the difference between mental illness prevention and wellbeing approaches
  • the key determinants that impact on staff wellbeing
  • effective strategies to respond to fatigue, burnout, depression and trauma
  • why one programme doesn't fit all and how to scope and design a staff wellbeing programme responsive to the specific needs of your school
  • developing a staff wellbeing programme based on proven wellbeing outcomes
  • making informed decisions on your school’s staff wellbeing policy and activities
School Group ParticipationSchools are encouraged to have more than one staff member participate in the online workshops. Past workshops has shown that having more than one staff member has maximised the benefit of the workshop activities which can then been continued post-workshop.
2025 Workshop Dates Online: Thursdays 9.30am - 12.30pm 27 March, 3 & 10 April Auckland: Tuesday 23 September 9:00am - 4.30pm

Tāne Ora:

An Online Masterclass in creating a movement of wellbeing for men by men

Using Collective Impact and Transformational Change to engage men in a dynamic conversation among men about being well
WELL MEN MATTER! As a society we know the impact of unwell men. Each year , across all age and ethnic groups, more men kill themselves than women. The devastating impact of these deaths on whānau cannot be under-estimated as we know see the next generation of younger men also suiciding. The impact of unwell men, especially Māori and Pacific Islander men, is not just in our suicide statistics. They are in our prisons and mental health facilities as well as being over-represented in numerous other statistics such as long-term unemployment, road fatalities, as perpetrators and victims of violence, offending, and addiction. The impact of unwell men, especially Māori and Pacific Islander men, is not just in our suicide statistics. They are in our prisons and mental health facilities as well as being over-represented in numerous other statistics such as long-term unemployment, road fatalities, as perpetrators and victims of violence, offending, and addiction. It matters that men are able to optimise their wellbeing. Well men contribute to well whānau, communities, workplaces, economy and society. The most common approach to men's wellbeing is using a siloed deficit model that focuses on changing the behaviour or thinking of the men, e.g. how do we stop men killing themselves.? This approach has had limited impact on improving the wellbeing of men. Using a strength based approach this workshop will examine the social and cultural determinants that enable optimal wellbeing for men.
Agencies that work with men will be able to identify how best to adopt a mens wellbeing framework, to be "agents of wellbeing" and which strategies to implement to achieve long term and sustainable wellbeing outcomes for men. Rather than using a programatic approach, the workshop will use a model about creating a "movement of change" that men actively participate in and take responsibility for.
2025 Workshop Dates Online: Thursdays 9.30am - 12.30pm: 4, 11, 18 & 25 September
REGISTER ONLINE NOW
As we approach Movember take a deep dive into:
  • the determinants that impact on men's wellbeing
  • what is required to shift very ingrained understandings in men about being a man.
  • why we need to move from a programme approach to a movement of change that engages men in conversations of the heart and the walrua
The workshop will cover men's wellbeing across the lifespan. While there are common wellbeing determinants for all men, the wellbeing outcomes for well boys are different in emphasis to those of a well older man. Likewise the difference for young adult males and middle aged men. "Helping men and boys to transition from sad blokes to well men must be our focus" The challenge is how do we move beyond wellbeing being just another 'buzz' word to a dynamic process that underpins the ability for men to thrive. Participants have the opportunity to bring any challenges or dilemmas they face in a men's wellbeing initiative that they are working on for group brainstorming exercises about how how best to resolve any issues.
A Vision for Men's Wellbeing: Confident grounded men; secure in their identity;affirming of their maleness;respecting of themselves and others; and actively involved the healthy development and wellbeing of themselves, their whānau and their community
Topics Covered:
  • Theoretical foundations of mental wellbeing
  • Creating a pedagogy of wellbeing for men
  • Different outcomes for different purposes – the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approaches
  • Social and cultural determinants of wellbeing
  • Not the same thing - the difference between a mental illness and a mental wellbeing approach
  • Wellbeing across the lifespan - From well boys to well older men
  • Transformational change and collective impact for sustaining men's wellbeing
  • The 'new normal" - the role of coping, adjusting and adapting in mental wellbeing
  • The emerging social pandemic – addressing loneliness and social isolation in men
  • The Wheel of Wellbeing (WOW) model - applying it to men
  • Masculinity for the 21st Century - Are traditional notions of masculinity meeting the needs of men in 2023? How the changes in men’s roles and identity have impacted on men's wellbeing
  • A vision for men’s wellbeing: An holistic approach to conceptualising men’s wellbeing and key mental wellbeing messages for men
  • Designing effective strategies - Mental wellbeing programme design, implementation and evaluation
  • Mental wellbeing indicators and outcomes - developing a programme logic for men's wellbeings

Well Elders:

Promoting wellbeing in older people

Hear from an experienced wellbeing specialist who has lectured and implemented numerous wellbeing programmes at the local, national and international levels.
A comprehensive overview of the research, evidence and latest international thinking on promoting wellbeing in older people as applied to the Aotearoa-New Zealand context
With the greater awareness of the fundamental role that wellbeing plays in enabling individuals and communities to thrive, take the opportunity to learn how older peoples' workers and agencies, local government, churches and health services can put wellbeing at the heart of what they do that enables older people to thrive. Aotearoa-New Zealand’s population is ageing rapidly. There are more and more people living into old age. As the baby boomer generation age, many will enjoy reasonable physical health, however mental health issues, in particular depression, will be a prevalent health issue. Therefore promoting mental wellbeing will be a major focus for those working with older people.
Informed by social, cultural and environmental determinants, adopting a wellbeing framework enable workers and agencies to identify how they can be "agents of wellbeing" for older people and how to incorporate wellbeing outcomes into their work. Mental wellbeing is not just the responsibility of the health sector, the workshop is ideal training for anyone working with older people in:
  • aged care facilities
  • churches
  • community based older people agencies
  • local government
  • older persons' mental health services
  • primary health care
  • retirement villages
Training Series ProgrammeWorkshop 1:Theoretical foundations of mental wellbeing in EldersDifferent outcomes for different purposes - the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approachesNot the same thing - why a mental illness approach and a mental wellbeing approach are not the same Agents of Wellbeing Workshop 2: Teaching an old dog new tricks - Reframing for positive ageingTransitions, moving on & grief: the role of coping, adjusting and adapting Dying well - a wellbeing approach to death and dying The Wheel of Wellbeing Workshop 3:The emerging social pandemic - loneliness and social isolation in older peopleFrom redundancy to purposeful and meaningful ageing
​Workshop Description
Wellbeing is determined by proven social, economic and cultural factors that positively or negatively impact on the wellbeing of older people. Factors such as loneliness, diminishing physical health, income and food security, significant loss, elder abuse, the invisability of older people, cultural alienation and impacts of rual to urban migration and immigration from the Pacific Islands in the 1950's and 60's. Factors Based on these determinants and frameworks it is possible to develop an evidence-based programme logic with clear wellbeing outcomes and indicators and evaluation tools. An overview of the determinants and outcomes will be covered in the workshop.
Promoting wellbeing is an effective strategy in mitigating the impact of mood and anxiety disorders in older people, but it should not be it's primary aim of wellbeing promotion. The emphasis is on ageing well and thriving elders.
The training does not offer a ready-made wellbeing older peoples' wellbeing package but rather helps participants to:
  • understand the underlying theory, principles and best practice in promoting mental wellbeing,
  • identify the enablers and disablers of wellbeing in older people people
  • to move from an outputs to outcomes focus in designing wellbeing programmes or activities
Participants in this workshop series may also be interested in the Grey Not Blue: Depression and suicide in older people workshop.
"I have care and support that enables me to live as I want to, seeing me as a unique person with skills, strengths and personal goals"
2025 Dates Online: Mondays 9.30am - 12.30pm 5, 12 & 19 May Auckland: Tuesday 23 September 9.00am - 4.30pm
REGISTER ONLINE SERIES
REGISTER AUCKLAND

Co-ordinating Well, Being Well:

Sustaining your wellbeing as Suicide Prevention and / or Postvention Co-ordinators
Join the six workshop series to reflect on your role as Suicide Prevention/Postvention Coordinators. Explore how your role affects your wellbeing and learn strategies to sustain your resilient spirit.
This online wellbeing workshop series is tailored for Suicide Prevention and Postvention Coordinators. It originated from workshops previously delivered to coordinators in Australia.
Being a Suicide Prevention/Postvention Coordinator while rewarding, is not without its challenges. Having been one of the pilot Suicide Prevention Coordinators and establishing the regional suicide postvention service in Wellington, I'm familiar with the highs and lows and the long-term effects on our wairua and wellbeing. Recent years have seen many changes of people in the roles throughout the country. Don't miss this opportunity to explore ways to help you thrive in your role, that nurture you and mitigate the stresses and distressors. Become your own "agent of wellbeing".
Join these professional workshops to develop practical skills for your wellbeing. Expand your knowledge, exchange experiences, and engage in reflective conversations with colleagues. Don't miss this valuable opportunity. As a gesture of support, I offer these free workshops to recognize your critical work in suicide prevention and postvention
"Great to pause and take stock. Found myself looking forward to the next workshop and making time to focus on me in this role"
A SPPC role specific focus The spheres of enquiry in the workshop series that will frame the systematic dialogue among SPPCs about their wellbeing and being well in their coordinating roles. Those spheres are: Doing: How does the doing of the role impact on SPPC’s wellbeing – a) micro (tasks) b) intermediaries (systems) c) macro (complexity of suicide) Nature: What is it about the nature of the role that has potential to be detrimental and even in the end harmful, e.g. secondary exposure to trauma? Dynamics: The interplay between inter-personal / programmatic / implementation dynamics and the SPPCs undertaking of the role, e.g. the dynamics of operating within imperfect and often under-resourced systems
Modality: The different approaches SPPCs bring to the roles – e.g. professional disciplines, theoretical approaches, cultural frameworks
Personhood: Making the connections between the kaupapa of the role, SPPC’s motivation and passion for that kaupapa, and the alignment with personal – values, belief systems, identity, mauri, wairua, turangawaewae, kawa and tikanga.
Components of the Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Tool will be used in the analysis of these spheres of enquiry.
"Learnt so much from both Barry and the group and have some great tools for looking after my wellbeing"
The dates and topic areas are:
Workshop 1: 1 May 1 - 4pmTheoretical foundations of mental wellbeingDifferent outcomes for different purposes - the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approachesYes but what actually do you do? - Working in a complex social health issue and having to function in a role that has a wide range of outputs / tasks and may be not clearly defined.
Workshop 2: 19 June 1 - 4pmSocial and cultural determinants of WellbeingThe Wheel of WellbeingAlone in a team - Operating solo in roles yet part of a wider team - peer support and being managed well Reflective practice - a model for celebrating achievements and on-going learning and adaptingA wellbeing framework for SPPCs Workshop 3: 14 August 1 - 4pmThe rollercoaster of the highs and lows of being a SPPCDo I need supervision and what sort of supervision is best for me?Yes but.. setting boundaries and limitsTired and feeling flat: The tell-tale signs of burnout or despondency and what can be done about it
Workshop 4: 11 September 1 - 4pmHearing the pain but not owning the pain - Protecting your wairua while engaging with people in distress and understanding vicarious traumaIts contagious - the challenge of being a Postvention Co-ordinatorWorkshop 5: 9 October 1 - 4pmFacilitators of change and working collaboratively - engaging others to come onboard your waka to join you in your mahiI have pushed and I have pulled but I can't get traction - facing exasperation and disillusionment
Workshop 6: 4 December 1 - 4pmSprinting or crawling to the end of the year? Taking stock at the end of the yearHaving a break - The role of intentional recreationSavouring our whānau
"Really appreciated the opportunity to talk honestly in a safe space about being a coordinator with a group of people who get it. Came away knowing I am not alone in some of the feelings I have had in this role"

Ministering Well - Attending to your wellbeing:

An online workshop series for those in pastoral ministry

An invitation for you to pause and to take time to reflect on your ministry and the effects on your wellbeing. Join others in ministry on a journey of discovery on how to sustain and nurture your ministry and learn strategies to mitigates against it's many “demands”.
Enhance your ministry by attending to your wellbeing. Don't miss this valuable opportunity! The online series comprises six workshops scheduled throughout the year.
This workshop series explores the critical question, 'Who supports those in ministry?' Drawing from extensive experience, it highlights how ministry demands affect wellbeing, leading to rising exhaustion, burnout, and despondency.
Tailored for those in pastoral ministry, these workshops aim to enhance mental wellbeing as well as being supportive of those in ministry experiencing mental health challenges. Drawing on 36 years of expertise, I will share professional insights into mental wellbeing and the connection between faith, spirituality, and wellbeing. Each workshop will address various ministry aspects through a wellbeing perspective, providing opportunities to reflect and share experiences with peers.
Workshop Recordings:We understand that pastoral ministry responsibilities may prevent participants from attending all workshops. Therefore, all sessions are recorded and accessible for one month post-event.
Join these free online wellbeing workshops tailored for those in pastoral ministry.
Participants will employ the 'sphere of enquiry' analytical tool to contextualize wellbeing theory within the reality of their ministry. By the end of the workshop series, attendees will acquire practical tools to support their wellbeing and strengthen their resilience.
The workshops provide an in-depth exploration of wellbeing theory and practice tailored for your ministry. We will cover ministry related wellbeing topics and I invite participants to contribute their own discussion points. The final workshop will offer a year-end reflection, assess the impact of your ministry on your wellbeing, identify possible changes for 2026, and explore summer strategies for rejuvenation. Each workshop will feature presentations on wellbeing theory and outcomes to provide context for group activities. Participants will engage in small group work to brainstorm practical wellbeing actions based on the outcomes. Finally, a large group discussion will synthesize the presentations and small group findings.
The online series, consisting of six 3-hour workshops, will be held Thursdays 9.30am to 12.30pm
Workshop 1: Thursday 6 MarchTheoretical foundations of wellbeingDifferent outcomes for different purposes - the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approachesYes but what actually do you do? - Working often with complex issues and having to function in a role that has a wide range of outputs / tasks that may not be clearly defined.Vocation as opposed to a job - Contextualising the Spheres of Enquiry audit tool Workshop 2: Thursday 1 MaySocial and cultural determinants of wellbeingConceptual models of wellbeing: The Wheel of Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa WhāDefining wellbeingWellbeing Outcomes Workshop 3: Thursday 19 June Reflective practice - a model for celebrating achievements and on-going learning and adapting Embedding wellbeing thinking in the professional supervision process A wellbeing framework for those in pastoral ministry Workshop 4: Thursday 14 AugustThe rollercoaster of the highs and lows of pastoral ministryYes but.. setting boundaries and limitsTired and feeling flat: The tell-tale signs of despondency, exhaustion or burnout and what can be done about itHearing the pain but not owning the pain - Protecting your wairua while engaging in ministry with people in distress and understanding vicarious trauma Workshop 5: Thursday 9 OctoberCompassionate change making - Self care and being your 'agent of wellbeing'Companions on the journey - the role of collegiality in wellbeingClinical safety - working in risk adverse environments Workshop 6: Thursday 4 DecemberSprinting or crawling to the end of the year? Taking stock at the end of the yearHaving a break -The role of intentional recreation
REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Other Services Offered

Mentoring
Mentoring to assist in the conceptualising, design, development, implementation and evaluation of wellbeing programmes
Staff Wellbeing
In house training on developing and implementing effective staff wellbeing programmes
Consultancy
One-off or longer term consultancy on auditing or evaluating staff wellbeing strategies

For Suicide Prevention & Mental Wellbeing Training. Mentoring or Poilcy Advice

Call or Get in Touch! Always Happy to Help!

Contact Us