Tagata Pasifika

The Pacific voice on
New Zealand television
since 1987

Tagata Pasifika

The Pacific voice on
New Zealand television
since 1987

Trouble in your bubble? Le Va launches #CatchYourself campaign

Le Va, an NGO with expertise in mental health, has launched a new educational online campaign to prevent violence within our communities during New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Called ‘Trouble in your bubble? #CatchYourself”, the campaign includes ways to combat stress, anxiety and anger, and maintain respectful relationships with people in your bubble at home.

While physical safety, hygiene and health are currently being addressed during New Zealand’s unprecedented lockdown to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Le Va says there is also a need to focus on some of the longer-term social issues that may arise during the period of isolation, such as violence and mental distress.

“Our aim is to equip families with culturally appropriate knowledge and skills to maintain respectful relationships whilst in isolation. We are doing this by providing a suite of practical resources and information on how people can manage their frustration or anger and maintain respectful relationships,” said Le Va Chief Executive Denise Uluave.

The campaign is being promoted through Le Va’s social media, and includes a #CatchYourself frame that people can use on their Facebook profile pictures to help spread the message. The NGO has also enlisted the help of well-known Pasifika people in the community to spread the word, including singers TJ Taotua and La CoCo and Tagata Pasifika reporter John Pulu.

“With the lockdown, many people will find themselves feeling irritable, frustrated, anxious or worried. These are normal reactions to a very abnormal situation that all New Zealanders are facing together. We may even get angry with the people that we are living with and unfortunately this can lead to extreme violence in some families,” says Denise.

Le Va’s #CatchYourself campaign promotes a four-step psychological intervention to stop things getting out of hand:

Step 1: #Catch yourself – Stop – know your triggers and warning signs
Step 2: Take a step back – Breathe
Step 3: Calm the mind – Think before you act
Step 4: Act with respect – Be kind and focus on maintaining respectful relationships

“Solutions lie within our own communities, and in these heightened times, in our own families,” said Denise.

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