A new podcast has been launched celebrating the work of our largest mental health and addiction workforce. It comes as law changes have suddenly denied that workforce access to a pay equity claim it has been working towards for more than three years.

There are more than 5,000 full-time equivalent support workers in mental health and addiction services. They are an essential yet often undervalued, under-resourced, and underpaid role.

Support workers make up around one-third (33%) of the overall MHA workforce, and are the largest single workforce, followed by nurses (25%).

Research, including He Ara Oranga – the Government inquiry into mental health and addiction, has highlighted key challenges facing support workers, including the recruitment, retention and recognition of people working in this role.

To support and celebrate this vital workforce, Te Pou has created The Difference, a four-episode podcast series by and for support workers working in the mental health and addiction sector, which launches today.

Te Pou’s chief executive Rae Lamb says it’s more important than ever to celebrate the importance of this workforce and their role in supporting people’s recovery.

Hosted by Te Pou project lead Alexia Black, The Difference features support workers from across the motu and from a diversity of organisations – including Pathways and Mahitahi Trust in Auckland, Springhill treatment centre in Napier, Real in Nelson, and Moana House in Dunedin – talking about their work, and current challenges and opportunities for the sector.

Topics include using your lived experience in your mahi, worker wellbeing, and vicarious trauma, leadership, career pathways and workforce retention, and the importance of reflective practice.

The episodes, which are being released once a fortnight from Thursday May 15, will be of interest to current support workers and their managers, those considering a career in support work, and the broader health workforce.

Te Pou, a national mental health and addiction workforce development agency, is committed to providing support workers with training and resources, and growing sector awareness of the vital role support workers play in our communities.

“Support workers and peer support workers are with people, day in and day out,” says Alexia. “They are there when people need a listening ear or someone to walk beside them. They work so hard and yet are largely invisible when it comes to investment in the sector.

“I really hope this podcast shines a light on the strengths, skills and commitment of this workforce to improving the lives of tāngata whai ora and whānau. We really would be lost without them.”

Listen to The Difference on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In addition, Te Pou has created a webpage with learning resources for support workers in mental health and addiction. To find out more, visit https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/strengthening-the-mental-health-and-addiction-support-workforce

Notes:

Sources: Mental health and addiction workforce report (Te Pou, October 2023), He Ara Oranga (Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (November 2018).

Episode release schedule (every two weeks on a Thursday):

• Episode 1: May 15 - Using your lived experience in your mahi
  Join Izzy Young, a peer support specialist with Real (Nelson), and James Huata, peer support worker from Moana House (Dunedin) as they talk to podcast host Alexia Black about how to use lived experience in your mahi. They both share their personal journeys and experiences of struggle, healing and reconnection. They discuss how they use their lived experience in their daily life as support workers.
• Episode 2: May 29 - Worker wellbeing and vicarious trauma
  Jonathan Miller is a team coach at Pathways in Auckland, managing a mobile community support team. With five years as a community support worker and two as a manager, he is passionate about support worker wellbeing. He talks to podcast host Alexia Black about his master’s research, which focused on support workers’ perspectives on their own wellbeing. Their kōrero covers vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, with some practical tips for support workers on how to look after their own mental health on the job.
• Episode 3: June 12 - Reflective practice
  Tashie Hoffman is a peer support specialist at Springhill Treatment Centre in Napier. After overcoming addiction and completing rehab, she stayed connected to the recovery community and was offered a role at the centre. She talks about her journey, and the value of reflective practice in her mahi.
• Episode 4: June 26 – Leadership
  Tremain Tauhinu has more than 30 years’ experience in intellectual disability and mental health services. From Mangere East, Auckland, he has worked in roles from labourer to property manager. Now, as a team lead at Mahitahi Trust, he supports tāngata whai ora with complex needs to re-engage with their communities. He talks about career development and leadership for support workers. What are the opportunities and challenges for recruitment, retention and growth for the sector?

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