Health Pasifika — children and young people

You can contact the Health Pasifika child and youth team on:

• freephone: 0800 759 575
• phone: 04 381 1662

The child and youth team is part of the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).

You need an appointment to see the team.

We are located at:

Level 3 BNZ Tower
14 Hartham Place
Porirua

We provide services for Pacific children and young people aged from newborn to 18 who have moderate mental health needs. 

We can help your child:

• in your home
• somewhere in the community.

Our services include:

• assessing your child's mental health needs and providing treatments in a way that considers their cultural needs
• consultation with other services working with your child — these may include other community, hospital and Pacific health providers
• providing you with mental health information
• providing information about other community services.

Our team includes:

• a Pacific cultural advisor (matua)
• nurses
• a child, adolescent and family clinical psychologist
• peer workers (support people who have experience using mental health services)
• psychiatrists.

A psychiatrist is a specialist doctor who is an expert in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Your child may have been referred to a psychiatrist if your healthcare provider thinks they need specialist help.

What you can expect from our service

Once we receive your child's referral, we will arrange an appointment with you and your child. At the appointment, a clinician will complete an assessment of your child's mental health needs. This initial appointment can take up to 2 hours.

If we agree that we are the service that is the best for your child, we will develop a treatment plan. Our team will then work with you and the child to carry out the plan.

If we believe that another service would be better for your child, we can refer you to another service.

Or, we may recommend some actions you can take to support your child at home rather than using a mental health service.

Your child can be referred to our service by:

• your GP or other healthcare provider
• you (their parent or caregiver)
• a teacher
• a family member or friend
• Oranga Tamariki or other social or mental health services in the community.

When you and your child use our services, you are welcome to have your family, ngutuare tangata, aiga, kaiga, kainga, magafaoa or other support people with you at your appointment.

Eligibility for free care

You can ask our team about your child's eligibility for free health care. Or you can find more information on our eligibility web pages.

Eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services

Service eligibility for people from Pacific Island countries