What's Up helps quake-stricken kids

0800 What’s Up, the Barnardos-run counselling line for children and young people, has come to the aid of Marlborough children in the wake of the earthquakes that have left the region and its residents shaken.

Wristbands and wallet cards have been distributed to schools in Seddon and the surrounding area, to remind children there’s always someone to talk to if they’re feeling distressed by the events of the past few weeks.

0800 What’s Up manager Rhonda Morrison says, “After both major Canterbury earthquakes, we had lots of calls from children and young people needing support. In fact, the big February quake resulted in earthquakes being the 10th most called-about problem category in 2011. We still receive a lot of calls from Christchurch children that are quake-related, because the effects of a major earthquake are long term – having to move, leaving your friends and your school, bereavement and family breakdown.”

Nick Raynar is principal at Seddon School. He says, “We’ve continued with routines and business as usual at school, and this seems to have been the best strategy for the children. The school building has stood up really well – you wouldn’t have any idea of what it had gone through – so that’s reassuring. There are no major issues within school, but some of the children are still very anxious, and are sleeping with mum and dad rather than in their own beds. They’re still upset, and they’re getting tired and run down from the sleeplessness.”

Rhonda continues, “It’s natural that children and young people in the Marlborough region will be dealing with anxiety about the quakes, just as young Cantabrians did. We’re letting them know that, if they need to talk to someone outside their family, they can call us and speak to a trained counsellor who can support them and help them develop coping strategies to deal with their concerns.”

About 0800 What’s Up
0800 What's Up is a free, national phone counselling service for five to 18 year olds. It’s open 365 days a year from 1pm-11pm, and in an average year answers more than 125,000 calls – in fact, it’s the most accessed professional telephone counselling service for children and young people in New Zealand. More than 95% of the helpline’s funding comes through the generosity of New Zealanders who want to make a difference to children’s lives. To support 0800 What’s Up, visit www.whatsup.co.nz/grown-ups

ENDS

© Scoop Media