Te Tumu Waiora offers mental health and wellbeing support in your community. The service is available at many general practices across Tai Tokerau. It’s quick and easy to access – you can usually see someone on the same day, often within 10-15 minutes. And, if you’re enrolled with the general practice, it’s free.

Te Tumu Waiora is non-judgemental and focuses on supporting behavioural change. The service can help with a range of things, including:

• Stress
• Grief
• Headaches and migraines
• Sleep problems
• Feeling down, stuck or worried
• Gender identity and sexual orientation
• Living well with pain
• Overuse of alcohol or drugs
• Coping with illness and health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and digestive problems
• Family and/or parenting challenges
• Relationship tensions
• Making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking

Te Tumu Waiora is provided by dedicated mental health support teams made up of health improvement practitioners (HIPs) and health coaches.

HIPs are registered mental health practitioners who work as members of the general practice team. They are trained and qualified to help people from all walks of life.

They provide free brief interventions and are well connected with local organisations to ensure that people can access the support needed to address challenges, maintain behaviour change and increase their wellbeing.

Health coaches work alongside the HIP and general practice team as a partner, encouraging people to identify their own priorities for change and supporting them to find the resources, tools, and supports to meet their goals.

Health coaches often support people in the community by facilitating walking groups, advocating for health needs, meeting with whānau or connecting people to other services. Health improvement practitioners and health coaches work together to support the behavioural health needs of the general practice and the communities they serve.

To find out more about Te Tumu Waiora, including general practices that offer this service, visit Te Tumu Waiora (Head Towards Wellness) | Northland DHB

What Te Tumu Waiora Can Do for You

HIP Joni Bradshaw explains what to expect when you visit a health improvement practitioner.

What Te Tumu Waiora Can Do for You