Diversity Counselling New Zealand will positively impact Tauranga and the wider Western Bay of Plenty due to a recent community grant from TECT.

Established in the Waikato region in 2013, DCNZ is a not-for-profit organisation committed to enhancing the lives of migrants and former refugees through culturally responsive counselling and promoting community well-being.

It will now operate throughout Tauranga and the wider Western Bay of Plenty.

Through offering home visits, telehealth, face-to-face, and after-hour support, DCNZ can support local ethnic communities struggling with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma from family violence and sexual abuse.

A recent $25,000 grant from TECT will support DCNZ’s ability to extend their services into Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, where they can provide free services to migrants and former refugees through local ethnic practitioners.

Local funding such as this enables DCNZ to continue their mission of providing culturally responsive mental health services to local people, and their communities.

Alongside counselling they will offer local ethnic communities workshops, educational resources and programmes, information and skill development for children, young people and adults.

All with the aim to help ethnic communities overcome challenges, build resilience and flourish.

With Tauranga being one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities, it is also becoming increasingly multicultural making DCNZ’s work more essential than ever.

Founder Vanisri Mills said they are committed to providing culturally sensitive support that helps individuals feel seen and valued, regardless of their background.

“Our approach gives people a safe space where they can begin to heal and eventually hold hope for their future, no matter how difficult the journey has been.”

Despite the local surge in population, there are limited services that address the unique challenges ethnic community members face, including language barriers, social isolation, cultural alienation, and settlement difficulties.

Through DCNZ offering multilingual counselling and delivering workshops that address these unique challenges, they will be able to bridge the gap through providing their free mental health support.

DCNZ can support local ethnic communities struggling with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma from family violence and sexual abuse. Photo: Diversity Counselling New Zealand.

The recent $25,000 grant from TECT will enable DCNZ to cover their general operational costs of providing free counselling and therapeutic programmes for ethnic communities including, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Continental European, and Fiji Indian populations. In addition, this funding will cover part of the expenses for counselling and psychology services, as well as programme delivery.

“We are incredibly grateful to TECT for their generous support,” said Mills, “This grant is essential in transforming individual lives and helping to build healthier, more resilient communities that can positively contribute to their local society.”

TECT, a long-time supporter of community initiatives, is proud to contribute to DCNZ’s work in building resilience and inclusive communities

“We recognise the value DCNZ will bring to the region by supporting individuals who face unique challenges in accessing mental health services,” said Mark Arundel, TECT Trustee, “By having a local service that offers culturally responsive counselling and therapeutic programmes, Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty will have enhanced mental wellbeing and resilience of former refugees and migrants who now call this region their home.”

“As a result, we will continue to see increased engagement, stronger community connections, and a greater sense of belonging among individuals and families.”

For more information on Diversity Counselling New Zealand or to access their services, visit www.diversitycounsellingnz.org