Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support in Eating Disorder Services Northern Region

A new service will be established in the Northern Region to support tāngata whaiora (people seeking wellbeing when experiencing mental distress), who have eating disorders and their whānau. Up to two FTE non-clinical Peer Support worker roles (one FTE adult, one FTE youth) will be developed and embedded across specialist Eating Disorder Services.

The intention of this new service is to create an environment where tāngata whaiora experience positive support from both the peer and clinical workforce and are enabled to self-determine and manage their own recovery with the support of services.

Provisioning of these roles would support the implementation of a refreshed national Eating Disorder Strategy and have a significant positive impact on service delivery and outcomes, including enhancing the experience and engagement of tāngata whaiora through culturally responsive, lived experience support.