The Heretaunga Women’s Centre is offering free counselling sessions to women impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and, to date, nearly 80 women have used the service.
Heretaunga Women’s Centre’s service manager Amanda Meynell said the counselling service came about after the centre decided to offer women emotional support post Cyclone Gabrielle.
“In February, immediately post the Cyclone we wanted to be there for women to support them emotionally, and with any mental health challenges they were experiencing.”
The centre subsequently received funding from the Hawke’s Bay Foundation and the Red Cross NZ Disaster Fund.
Meynell said those grants enabled the centre to provide free counselling support for 12 months to women in the Hawke’s Bay community impacted by the cyclone.
“We expected that in the weeks and months following the cyclone, women in our community would experience increased emotional needs,” she said.
“Since April 2023 we’ve seen an increase in women reaching out for counselling, many being impacted in some way by the cyclone. We have seen 73 women for urgent or drop-in counselling sessions and an additional 23 women engaged in ongoing counselling through our counselling service.
“For some they were significantly impacted losing their homes and possessions, and for others who prior to the cyclone were managing the issues and challenges in their lives, Cyclone Gabrielle was the catalyst that tipped the balance, and they are now reaching out for support.”
She said the centre has a full-time qualified counsellor who provides clinical oversight for the two types of counselling on offer, as well as two trainee counsellors, and two counsellors with private practices who volunteer at the centre, to support the women seeking counselling.
The age range of women seeking counselling support, either an urgent drop-in or ongoing support, goes from 18 to 80 and the most significant reason for them seeking counselling is relationship issues or family violence.
“These issues are not new, they have always existed, but the cyclone exacerbated them. At least 30% of the women we support through our counselling service are experiencing family violence or relationship issues and we have seen an increase in family violence support required since the cyclone,” Meynell said.
“The cyclone itself isn’t responsible for family violence, however, it has caused stress and pressure for many who were already struggling to manage their emotions and behaviour. For some, the cyclone has been the catalyst that has led to an increase in violent behaviour.
“Additionally with the added stress and pressure around finances and cost of living it’s so important for us to be able to offer free counselling support at this time and into the future.”
She said the full-time counsellor sees approximately 12 to 15 women per week for counselling.
Additionally, in August, 13 more women have approached the Heretaunga Women’s Centre for help. These are women who are not already engaging with the service.
“We aim to be as responsive as we can to the needs of women in the community and are really committed to providing counselling for when they need it.”
The centre has the envious record of not turning away any women seeking counselling support.
“We have great relationships with tertiary providers, and we enhance and advocate for the wellbeing and empowerment of women which makes us an attractive place to volunteer.”
She said if the demand for counselling were to increase, the funding by Red Cross NZ Disaster Fund and Hawke’s Bay Foundation would allow them to contract in people to support clients.
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Hastings is indeed fortunate, to their “dedicated Womens Rest Rooms” built and “dedicated” for the very purpose they were meant to be for.
Whilst Napier City Council simply hands over Napier’s “dedicated” Women’s Rest Rooms, in Clive Square for the “commercial activities” of the Art Deco Trust.
Hello! Much like the Napier Council vandalising Napier’s War Memorial Hall.
No respect. Absolutely disgusting