- Mental health and addiction helpline
Call or text 1737 - Lifeline
Call 0800 543 354
or text 4357 - Youthline
Call 0800 376 633
or text 234
The Personal Focus, Community Participation service offers customised one on one support for people who want to overcome barriers to education, employment and/or participation in the wider community.
Our model of facilitation is adapted from the Enabling Good Lives principles
- Self-determination – participants are in control of their lives.
- Person-centred – participants have supports that are tailored to their individual needs and goals.
- Ordinary life outcomes – participants are supported to live an everyday life in everyday places; and are regarded as citizens with opportunities for learning, employment, having a home and family, and social participation
- Mainstream first – participants are supported to access mainstream services before specialist Mental Health services.
- Mana enhancing – the abilities and contributions of participants and their families are recognised and respected.
- Easy to use – support is easily accessible and flexible.
- Relationship building – supports, builds and strengthens relationships between participants, their whānau and community.

Individual goal plans are developed in partnership with a Facilitator.
The focus of the work undertaken is:
- Participation and inclusion in the participants wider community. Participants will explore options to support greater involvement in their community. This may include joining social activities, sports/recreation, interest groups etc.
- Further Education /Training. Participants explore and connect with training or study options based on career planning. This may include tertiary study or short courses/workshops.
- Confidence Building for Work. Participants develop skills to enhance their confidence to *prepare for job seeking. This may include support into volunteer work.
*Akiaki Ora does not support people into employment. However, when participants express a desire to find employment they may choose to be referred to Ember Employment
Referral to Akiaki Ora
Akiaki Ora is available to people from 16-65 years of age who have experienced mental ill-health. Referral to the service can be made by any of the following:
- Self-referral
- Community Support Worker
- Community Mental Health Centres
- Supported Accommodation Providers
- Family / Whanau
- General Practitioner
- Other Ember services