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Hikoi ki te Hauora
Journey to Wellbeing
An Introduction
What is Hikoi ki te Hauora (Journey to Wellbeing)?
The Introduction to this resource states:
"Hikoi ki te Hauora has been developed in response to the
need to support young people in making the transition from primary
to secondary school."
The Introduction continues to state that this transition can be
a time of many changes:
"These changes create a set of challenges for young people
which in turn have the potential to contribute to their resilience
or to place them under stress."
The Introduction, towards the end, states that the resource provides
young people with the opportunity to:
- Develop a better understanding of what helps people belong
- Identify and explore the different challenges and opportunities
which people face in life
- Develop understanding, respect and acceptance for their uniqueness
as individuals
- Explore the ways that spirituality, connectedness and belonging
contribute to a sense of personal identity and self-worth.
These therefore become the aims of Hikoi ki te Hauora.
Why is it needed?
First, the project was seen as offering a resource to meet the
requirements of the New Zealand Health and Physical Education
Curriculum (1999). It has been published in its present format
to allow modifications based on the recommendations of those
who implement it.
Secondly, it was also seen as making a contribution, no matter
how modest, to the New Zealand National Youth Suicide Prevention
Strategy. Although aimed at a younger age group than that specifically
targeted by the National Strategy, it is hoped it will help students
meet challenges in a positive and constructive way. Hikoi ki te
Hauora as a school-based programme is not, per se, suicide prevention.
However, as is stated in the concluding section of the Introduction:
"Through learning in the Health and Physical Education
Curriculum, students will develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes
and motivation to make informed decisions and to act in ways
that contribute to their personal wellbeing, the wellbeing of
other people, and that of society as a whole.
He oranga ngakau
He pikinga waiora
The positive feelings in your heart will
raise your sense of self-worth"
A Shared Vision For Youth
In 2002 a number of organisations formed a new association to work
collaboratively, guided by Government strategic documents, to
promote positive strategies to prevent:
- violence, including bullying or abuse
- addictions, including alcohol, drugs, gambling
- self-harm and suicide
Thus YouthHealth came into being as a joint endeavour to:
- Educate students in the knowledge and practice of wellbeing
/ hauora
- Empower students with skills to deal with potential threats
to wellbeing / hauora
- Support individuals who need specialist services and those
who provide them.
Hikoi ki te Hauora is one of the projects YouthHealth has undertaken
to support.
Originally published by Safer Streets Trust, the programme will
continue to be made available by YouthHealtht who will also undertake
to have it formally evaluated.
Who is Hikoi ki te Hauora aimed at?
Year 9 or third form students. The change from intermediate to
secondary school is often a very difficult time for youngsters,
sometimes made more so by the co-incidental onset of puberty.
Students taking part in Hikoi ki te Hauora identify and explore
challenges and opportunities that people face in life and learn
to make effective decisions.
Who has been involved in developing the resource?
The Safer Streets Trust agreed to fund the development of a suicide
prevention resource for schools in 1999 when it was first proposed
by the Mental Health Foundation's education advisor and former
Head of Health Studies at Pakuranga College, Pauline Dickinson.
She enlisted the help of another former Head of Health Studies
now working for Northland Health, Helen Manning, plus a local
Maori advisory group, and together they developed a resource
which incorporates into the class lessons the allegorical book Gem
of the First Water, written by Ron Phillips, a therapist
at Middlemore Hospital's family mental health clinic.
What are the key concepts of Hikoi ki te
Hauora?
- Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing
are essential for a healthy and balanced life
- Life has ups and downs which people can learn how to handle
- Good decisions involve thinking about them first to make an
informed choice
- Thoughts can control people's behaviours and feelings
- People can learn ways to control and process their anger
- Forgiveness can help prevent people becoming stuck in their
anger
- Respect for others and their possessions is important
Where was it trialled and what has been the
response?
The programme was initially trialled at Kaitaia College in conjunction
with the local community where it was judged a genuine success.
Kaipara College in Helensville was part of the pilot and the programme
taught there incorporated changes resulting from an evaluation
of the Kaitaia experience.
During 2001, the programme was piloted at a number of schools
including Takapuna Grammar, Orewa College, Mangere College, Howick
College, Sacred Heart College, Henderson High School and Hornby
High School.
During 2002 more than 150 schools requested and received the resource.
What are children who have completed the
resource saying about it?
- It has helped me behave in all my classes
- I have been getting good comments from all the teachers, like
thinking before I act
- I have not been in trouble for a long time
- I am learning to control my anger and overcome my fears
- This has made me realise that you don't have to do certain
things i.e. smoking, drinking
- We can find ways to control our anger and remorse
What is the cost to schools?
On receipt of registration, schools are provided at no charge with
a set of 30 copies of Gem of the First
Water, a teacher's manual, five A3 posters and packs of
students wallet cards. These cards point students seeking help
to the YouthHealth websites and YouthHealth Empowerline, a recorded
telephone message service.
What support does YouthHealth give teachers?
There are two comprehensive websites for teachers - www.Hikoi.com and www.4TeachersToday.com -
which contain all the information teachers need to use the resource
effectively. Part one of Hikoi ki te Hauora is available on www.Hikoi.com,
which has downloadable copies of the resources used in the teacher's
hand book.
In some areas, group training is offered to teachers.
Where is further information available?
For further information, please call our free phone number - 0800
22 77 32.
Further reading - available from Ministry
of Youth Affairs
- A Review of Evidence by Dr. A. L. Beautrais (1998)
- In Our Hands – NZ Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
- Kia Piki te Ora o te Taitamariki - Strengthening Youth Wellbeing
- Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
- Youth Suicide Prevention Newsletters
Useful Websites
  
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