Support for children & teens
If you are a parent, seeking support for a child or children in your care, we invite you to share this website, with your child. We know the importance of children having a say (voice and choice) in their care and support. At Tony’s Place, we see care and support of young people as something that happens with them, rather than to them.
This section details the different types of support available, for children and teenagers, here at Tony’s Place.
Programmes
My Space Programme for children (Wellington)
My Space is a free 10-week psycho-educational programme for children aged 6-12 years.
Groups, of 6-8 children, meet weekly to cover a range of specific topics, in a fun, activity-based way:
The programme is based on what research tells us is most effective in helping young people affected by suicide, allowing the children to learn and be supported together with others who ‘get it’.
Contact us today to find out more or to hold a space for your child.
(Looking for a My Space group outside of Wellington? We have plans to roll this programme out nationwide in 2027).
Session Outline
Session 1 - My huddle
Session 2 - My feelings
Session 3 - My feelings
Session 4 - My choices
Session 5 - My worries and why’s about suicide
Session 6 - My story
Session 7 - My story
Session 8 - My waka
Session 9 - My memories
Session 10 - My future hopes
Registrations are open now!
YANA for teens (Wellington)
YANA (You Are Not Alone), a free group peer support for teenagers (aged 13-18 years), will be on offer in Wellington in 2027.
Unlike the WAVES and MY SPACE programmes, which are both very structured, YANA is a fun activity-based form of support that enables young people to simply come together with others who have also experience suicide loss. The focus is on having fun experiences together, with no pressure or expectation to talk about their loved one or what has happened. This approach recognises how helpful simply being with others who “get it” can be and is consistent with the research on what teens affected by suicide experience as supportive.
(Looking for a YANA group outside of Wellington? We have plans to roll this programme out nationwide beyond 2027).
If you have a teen aged 13–18 years, or are in this age group and interested in attending YANA, register your details with us. We will then be in touch once a start date for YANA is confirmed.
Register your interest now!
Free downloadable resources
Click on the image to download.
Resources for children
My grief activity book This 23-page activity-based resource is designed to support children under 12 years of age, after someone close to them has died by suicide. Topics covered include:
My many feelings
My questions
My support crew
What has and hasn’t changed
What helps me
Ways to remember the person.
Additional 1-2 page resources for children
Resources for teens
My grief journal This 20-page resource is designed to support teens aged 13 to 18 years, after someone close to them has died by suicide. Topics covered include:
My emotions
My questions
My support crew
Inside vs outside
What helps
Useful apps
Remembering
Additional 1-5 page resources for teens
Other free supports available
This sections details other support options available for children and teens, in addition to those provided by Tony’s Place. For more information on these, please contact the providers directly. You do not need a referral to access these services, you can self-refer.
Aoake Te Rā - Therapeutic support
Free therapeutic support specifically for individuals (of all ages) and families bereaved by suicide. Up to 10 free sessions are available face-to-face, online or by phone – www.aoaketera.org.nz or leave a message on 0800 000 053.
Helplines
Support for young people up to the age of 18 years. Phone 0800 543 754 (0800 kidsline). Between 4-9pm calls are answered by specifically trained Year 12 & 13 year students (Kidsline buddies).
Kidsline
Free text or call 1737 anytime (24/7) to speak to a trained counsellor or a peer support person - www.1737.org.nz
Need to talk? 1737
Youthline
Phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Free phone counselling is available for 5-18 year olds, 11am-11pm, phone 0800 942 8787. Online chat is available 11am-10 30pm via www.whatsup.co.nz
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