*This tangata whaiora wishes to remain anonymous
I started spiraling into depression after a series of events happened in my life and I desperately needed help. Ngā Kete wrapped me in a huge blanket of support and now I am achieving my goals, feeling great, and looking forward to a happy future.
A few years ago I moved to Invercargill to meet my sister for the first time. I had recently found out my father was not my biological father and, while my biological father had passed away, I needed to meet my sister and make the connection.
I packed up myself and my one-year-old daughter and headed south. I was so excited to meet my sister and we instantly connected. We are so close now and I feel so privileged to have her in my life. I got to meet her whānau, and now I have more family. I was even there for the birth of her first baby.
While in Invercargill I met my partner and life was going really well. Everything had fallen into place for me. But, my partner committed a crime and was referred to Restorative Justice. I knew he was going to prison and I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I didn’t know many people in Invercargill and I was lonely, disappointed and depressed. It felt like my world was falling apart.
At the conference, the facilitator made us feel so comfortable and heard. We were able to talk through things and it felt so good to feel supported. She offered so much support that I felt comfortable enough to tell her how I was feeling and that I needed help.
She referred me to the psychotherapist at Ngā Kete, and I am so grateful. The psychotherapist was amazing, I felt connected to her instantly and she gave me the tools to deal with what was happening in my life. She also recommended some self-help books, which have been life changing. I soon wasn’t feeling as depressed as I was.
The blanket of support from Ngā Kete didn’t stop there. I was also referred to the Pūrerehua Transformation Service. The kaimahi listened to me without judgement and made me feel like I wasn’t alone anymore. I knew, with her support, I could achieve my goals.
Through speaking with her a little seed was planted and I realised a goal of mine was to study social services because I wanted to help people. The kaimahi helped me to get all of the information I needed, and we applied for the course here at Ngā Kete together.
She also supported me in sending away my DNA through ancestry so I could find out more about my lineage. This test revealed I was part Māori, which I had instinctively always known. It confirmed to me that intuition is a real thing, and it gave me a huge sense of belonging.
While at Ngā Kete I also participated in Te Kore, a women’s group. I enjoyed being a part of the group and listening to everyone’s individual journey. There was something in that for me watching people grow through this group, including myself.
Having access to all of these services at no cost removed a huge barrier for me. I even received a couple of food parcels, which enabled me to get ahead.
I am no longer depressed. My relationship with my partner, who is now out of prison, is the best it’s ever been. I’m feeling good and excited about the future. I am looking forward to studying next year and to achieve my long-term goal of becoming a physcotherapist.
Ngā Kete is helping me to find my goals and achieve them. Now it’s about following through, looking forward, and reaping the rewards from it.
The support has meant everything to me. When I walked in for the first time I felt alone, and I got nothing but comfort, a blanket of hugs. This has given me hope, and inner strength and I know none of this would have happened without Ngā Kete. I will be forever grateful.
