Government funds digital wellbeing website

NEWS

The Ministry of Health has funded a “unique public-private partnership” to deliver free digital wellbeing tools across New Zealand.

Te Hiringa Hauora, Health Promotion Agency, has worked with mental health social enterprise Clearhead to develop Small Steps as “part of the government’s commitment to expanding the range of digital wellbeing solutions available to New Zealanders”, a press release says.

The website has a range of digital activities to support people to develop the skills they need to maintain or improve their mental health and wellbeing. 

The initial six tools focus on positive thinking and mindfulness to manage stress or anxiety, and help for those who are feeling down. A further six tools will be added to the website in coming months.

Te Hiringa Hauora chief executive Tane Cassidy describes the collaboration as a “unique public-private partnership”.  

The website is zero-rated by the Ministry of Health, meaning it can be used by people without data on their devices. 

“That is important from an equity perspective,” Cassidy says.

Clearhead chief executive Angela Lim says the partnership has enabled them to scale up their impact and ensure great digital wellbeing tools are accessible to all New Zealanders. 

The website and tools are available in English and te reo Māori and have been developed based on clinical evidence and a te Ao Māori lens. 

The website and digital tools will be continually updated to meet user expectations, adapt to new technology, and build on the evidence of what works, the press release says.

Small Steps is for individuals and their whānau as well as social services and mental health workers to recommend when working with their clients.

Lim says the past year has been turbulent with the impact of Covid-19 on people's mental health. Clearhead’s real-time mental health data showed anxiety reached a peak last May with more than half of its nationwide users struggling with anxiety. 

The digital activities are designed to help people take the time to understand their feelings of disruption, distress or disconnection.