The headlight approach to empowering communities to support their mental health and wellbeing was in the global spotlight at an international e-Mental health conference recently.

Around a year ago, I was on a bus heading to a regenerative tourism workshop when I fell into conversation with someone who I vaguely knew. It turned out that the ‘conversation’ was actually a job interview - it was just that I didn’t know it at the time!

Recognising issues like staff shortages, increased living costs and separation from family support networks are continuing to impact people’s mental health, the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and Head Light Trust are stepping up efforts to help the Queenstown community.

An innovative peer-delivered community mental health programme aimed at empowering people to stay well is gearing up to grow after being successfully piloted in the Queenstown Lakes District.

Since May 2021, the ‘GoodYarn Community' programme has brought together over 250 locals from different community sectors to talk about mental health and arm themselves with more knowledge, strategies and skills to help them stay mentally well and support others who are struggling.