Naomi’s story
With Whakamaru behind her, Naomi is stepping into adulthood with confidence.
“I grew up in Auckland, moving between caregivers. I felt like I was walking on eggshells all the time. I had mental health problems because of it, but nobody took me seriously, so things only got worse. I spent nights on the streets when I had to, and life was pretty scary. I had no clue what I was going to do.
“Then, just after I turned 16, I moved down to Wellington. Thankfully I have some amazing friends, and one invited me to stay with their family while I went to school. At that time I was going through so many emotions, so I was really struggling with my mental health and was actually quite unstable. But their family was so patient and kind to me, and I was really relieved to have them.
“I wanted to find my own place, but I was 17 years old, and a Year 13 at school. I felt like moving out on my own was me suddenly switching into being an adult – completely alone without my own family behind me. So I went to MSD for help finding a house, and they told me about the Mission and their Supported Transitional Housing for young people. I remember when I moved to Whakamaru, thinking, “This is really fancy for this type of place!”
“As I started going through the process of becoming an adult, I didn’t handle it well. I told everyone that I was OK, but a lot of the challenges I’ve had all came out at once, and I had a really bad mental health episode at one point. So I started working with my Mission Kaitiaki, Shania, and we made lots of support plans that we would all follow to keep me safe. I started opening up personally to her too, and it’s been good to know that I always have her support. I also started working with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to get my own diagnoses and medication.
“About six months in, I started feeling a lot better about everything, and getting on my feet. I began volunteering downstairs in the community cafe, too, and it’s been fun helping the guests out. Sometimes people say things after their meal, like, “Thank you so much, I hope you have a good day!” That makes you smile because you’ve had a positive impact on someone.
“I’m also one of the cooks on our Community Kai programme, where once a week us residents share a meal together. I go down to the Crisis Cafe two nights a week too, where we talk with other residents, guests and staff, and do activities together. It can be a lot of fun, but also if someone’s having a hard time, the staff there can help. It doesn’t matter who you are or what’s going on, they’ll listen to you and take it seriously. It’s a really good place that’s different from other mental health services.
“I think the Whakamaru Supported Transitional Housing is good for people who have never experienced living on their own, and who don’t have any family they can rely on. You’re not having to take the huge jump to living by yourself, and it helped me figure out all the life skills I’d never learnt.
“And at the end of last year, I graduated school, and even got top of my class in tourism! My goal now is to make a career of it, have some fun, and make new friends, so I’ve just started my Level 4 Certificate in Tourism from the New Zealand School of Tourism. I’m starting to look at flats to live in this year too, and I’m excited for all the new opportunities coming for me.
“When I look back on my life, it’s really hit me how far I’ve come since I left Auckland. A few years ago, I was really sad. I was uncomfortable being myself, and felt very alone in the world. Now I have lots of friends who love and care about me. I’m much happier as a person, and I want to do things that make a positive impact.
“It’s easy to think there’s no such thing as good, proper help out there but Whakamaru has shown me that there is. People who support the Mission are really doing good in the world. There are so many people struggling, and if you can just help one person they will be forever grateful like I am!”
Shania, Naomi’s Community Support Worker, said: “Naomi is doing so well, and everyone loves seeing her behind the counter in the cafe! I’m really proud of her for always showing up, and getting through some very hard stuff at 17-18 years old. It’s not easy having no parents around, and she missed out on learning a lot of life skills, but she’s now in a really great place and we’re excited to see her grow into her new life.”