Headlight trials new approach to supporting migrant wellbeing

Headlight is running a series of workshops this June with leaders and members of the local migrant community to test out an innovative and unique approach to promoting migrant wellbeing.

The Headlight team has been developing the new programme since December 2023, with a view to making mental wellbeing education accessible, translatable and easy for communities to deliver through their own networks.

The programme will kick off this June with a series of exploratory workshops with local community leaders, community members and health professionals to test the new programme concept and explore how it can be made more effective and impactful for migrants in the Queenstown Lakes area.

“Many migrants coming to this area face challenges connecting with the community,” says Anna Wang, who is the project lead. “They don’t understand how to navigate the health system, what support is available or ways they can take steps to support their own wellbeing. Plus there is very little support for people in their native language, which makes it harder for many new migrants.”

The Headlight approach is quite unique, explains Anna Dorsey, Headlight Chief Executive. “We are using digital technology to tailor-make programmes  that are adapted for different audiences, such as through language or storytelling. The programmes are experienced in group settings, so people can engage with them locally, in their language, without the need of an expert in the room. That way they can reach deep into communities and provide the tools and support to help people learn about how they can support their own wellbeing, in an accessible way.” 

Headlight is working with several migrant health experts to help design and develop the programme, including Tintin Xie, who is a local registered counsellor (MNZAC), originally from China.

Anna Dorsey, was recently invited to speak about this project at a national Mental Health Roundtable Event in Gore run by the E Mental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC).

The Headlight team plans to roll out the full training to communities in the local area and beyond during the second half of 2024, with several groups from outside of Queenstown already asking Headlight for the programme.

Headlight wishes to thank its funders including Community Trust South, Lotteries Community Grant, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Ethnic Communities, COGs, Lions Club - as well as its community donors and community partners, for providing the funding for this important project. For more information about the project contact info@headlight.org.nz

Picture - Left to Right Anna Wang - Project Lead, Headlight. Tintin Xie- MNZCA Registered Counsellor, Anna Dorsey - Chief Executive Headlight.