A teen group for supporting wellness
This is a weekly group wellbeing programme for teenagers in Christchurch impacted by the March 15th attacks. It will be about holistic health – we will not be focussing on the attacks.
About the project
We are offering an exciting group programme for teenagers aged 12–19 who attend high school and have been impacted in any way by the March 15 attacks. You may or may not identify as Muslim and may feel you were directly or more indirectly impacted.
Difficulties could include (but are not limited to) ongoing challenges with:
- Relating to friends
- Managing emotional difficulties
- Managing family life
- Keeping up with schoolwork and expectations
- Using less useful coping strategies like drugs or alcohol
The group is a weekly wellbeing group based on an Islamic psychology understanding that the mind, body, and soul are interconnected, and we will be exploring well-evidenced psychological tools, as well as a lifestyle component, to explore ways to support wellbeing and psychological health. It runs over 6 weeks at the Rārākau Riccarton Centre. The groups are separate for boys and girls and will have a maximum of 8 young people in each. It does not involve engaging with a mental health service although there are options for linking in to other services if you would like.
How to find out more
If you would like to find out more, we would like to invite you and your parent/guardian to meet with us initially for an informal chat. This does not commit you in any way but lets you find out more about the project. If you want to take part, we will ask for your consent and ask you to answer some questions about your wellbeing. We will also invite your parent/guardian to answer some questions around how they think you are and their own wellbeing (though the groups are only for teenagers to attend).
We will not be asking you or your parent/guardian to go over the March 15 attacks in detail.
If you decide the group is not for you, you can stop at any time.
Alternatively, you can email us.
Email youthmarch15project@otago.ac.nz
Who we are
Group facilitators
These are the practitioners who will be running the confidential group sessions.
Dr Bilal Nasier – I am originally from Afghanistan and have called Aotearoa my home for the past 25 years. I recently completed my training as a Clinical Psychologist through the University of Auckland and, in my doctoral thesis, explored how Muslim youth experienced and responded to the March 15th terrorist attacks. Having been a youth worker for a number of years, I am interested in supporting young people in their development to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.I will be helping to run the group sessions and will meet participants at the information sessions.
Dr Shaystah Dean – I’m a Clinical Psychologist, and Research Fellow in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago in Christchurch. I enjoy working with young people of all backgrounds, and have run groups for teenagers before. These were focused on managing difficult emotional experiences. I helped develop this project and will be at the information sessions, and running the group sessions with Bilal.
Intake assessment
You will meet with these clinicians for your initial assessment to hear more about the group and fill out questionnaires, and then after the group, and follow-up to fill out questionnaires.
Dr Kat Donovan – I’m a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer. I work at Te Whatu Ora in the community service, CAF North as well as at the Department of Psychological Medicine in Christchurch through University of Otago. I grew up in a few different countries across Europe and the United States but came to New Zealand in 2014 and feel like this is home. I love working with teenagers and their whanau and like to be outdoors and active as much as possible.I am helping to organise the project and will be at the information sessions and helping to identify any further supports if needed.
Dr Shaystah Dean (see bio above)
Co-ordinators
Rana or one of our other co-ordinators may be in touch about signing up for the study and getting to the assessment and group sessions. And she will likely be there to help with setting up the room for the groups, and arranging materials.
Rana Lotfy Ahmed – I am a Child and Family trainer through my Masters' degree. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Egypt. I'm working at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch and worked at the University of Canterbury's Psychology Department previously. I have experience in adult and children’s mental health: I worked with Autistic children in UAE and worked with children in Christchurch. I enjoy working with children, youth, and their families. I have an appreciation for nature and I love walking at the beach or through gardens.
Contact us
Email youthmarch15project@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 372 6700 (ext 6700)
Or individually for more information about taking part in the study:
Email Kat.donovan@otago.ac.nz
Email Shaystah.dean@otago.ac.nz
This project is proudly supported by CMRF
