November Monday Chatham Islands Anniversary Day

NEVER SAY “IT WONT HAPPEN TO ME”

Everybody needs to be aware Don't ever leave your drink unattended. !!!

Drink spiking - where alcohol or drugs are added to your drink without your knowledge - is sadly an increasing problem. Motives for drink spiking vary from someone's idea of a sick joke to robbery or sexual assault and it's not just females who are at risk. Don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended. If someone offers you a drink, go to the bar with them. Buy or pour your own drinks and know what you are drinking. Don’t drink something you did not open, or see opened or poured. If you’re unsure about your drink, leave it. If you feel dizzy or sick, ask someone you trust to take you to a safe place. If you are alone or can’t find your friends tell the staff behind the bar or someone you know, if you are at a party. Keep an eye on your friends. If someone collapses and is unconscious, call an ambulance immediately-but do not leave them alone. If you’re on a date with someone you don’t know arrange for a friend to call you during the evening and/or pick you up. Meet in a public space. Arrange your own transport. How do I know if my drink has been spiked? You might not be able to see, smell or taste if you drink has been spiked - the drug may be colourless, odourless and may not affect the taste of your drink

Warning signs include:

►feeling dizzy or faint ►feeling sick or sleepy ►passing out ►feeling intoxicated or confused even if you have only had a little alcohol to drink ►waking up feeling uncomfortable and disorientated, with memory blanks about the night before. What to do if you think your drink has been spiked If you think your drink has been spiked, tell a friend, the bar or security staff, or the police. Your doctor can test for the presence of traces of certain drugs through urine or blood tests within 24 hours. If you think that you have been assaulted or raped, it’s important you tell a friend or family member, and go to a doctor or hospital. Drink spiking is illegal. It’s a serious offence to introduce a drug into the body of another person without their knowledge or consent, especially if the person is assaulted as a result.

Separation and Responsibilities

Separation of families are never easy, and children always seem to be stuck in the middle of parents arguments and changes of relationships. However if you are in this situation you remember that you had your children and it is up to you, the parents to see that the children are loved and cared for and their needs met. It’s your job to supply this to your children.

Reporting Child Abuse

Anyone can report suspected child abuse in this country and people who call Child, Youth and Family can ask to remain anonymous. Even if an investigation results in no abuse being found the law will protect you if you disclosed or supplied information in good faith. Fear of being wrong is the single most common reason people might decide not to act. People feel this way because they might be afraid of:

Repercussions - being thought insensitive breaking a confidence - being disloyal.

Its your responsibility to keep your parenting relationship alive and constructive, even when dealing with each others hurts. Never use the children as a wedge in your arguments and disputes against each other! Your children didn't ask to be here You put them here. Put your issues aside now and then and spend time together with YOUR children.

Don’t let children see you fighting, They are the innocent party and should be first priority.

One of the best ways to overcome this fear is to equip ourselves with good knowledge and to discuss concerns early with an appropriate person. You can use the Child, Youth and Family freephone – 0508 326 459 – to sound out your concerns. If you are concerned that a child or young person is being abused, remember that their safety and wellbeing comes first. When you are reporting a concern, Child, Youth and Family will need to know as much as possible about the situation. Useful details include the name, age and ethnicity of the child or young person, the address where the child or young person can be found, and as much about the abuse or your concerns as possible.

DO YOU HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM?

There were times in our "drinking careers" when we were convinced that all we had to do to control our drinking was to quit after the second drink, the fifth, the tenth, or some other number. Only gradually did we come to appreciate that it was not the fifth or the tenth or the twentieth drink that got us drunk; it was the first! The first drink was the one that did the damage. The first drink was the one that started us on our merry-go-rounds. The first drink was the one that led to our uncontrolled drinking. Many of us learned during our drinking days that enforced sobriety was generally not a pleasant experience. Some of us were able to stay sober, occasionally, for periods of days, weeks and even years. But we did not enjoy our sobriety. We persisted in looking forward to the time when we might be able to drink again. Now that we are in A.A., we have a new outlook on sobriety. We enjoy a sense of release, a feeling of freedom from even the desire to drink. Since we cannot expect to drink normally at any time in the future, we concentrate on living a full and happy life without alcohol today. Alcoholic Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Contact 0800 229 6757 or AA.org.nz

Depression is different for each person

For more information: https://womensrefuge.org.nz/ Nau mai, Haere mai Welcome to Women’s Refuge

Depression is something that so many people have or have had. It effects people in many ways depending on what each person is going through. Whether a person is suffering from marriage problems, suicide, financial or a loss of something they once had. There is not a one fix for everyone, as we are all different which helps to make the world go on. Each person must come to terms of their own problems or what's bothering them in their own way, coming to terms of reality of how things are and maybe, what changes they need to make to help relieve the stress they are trying to cope with. It is a huge help if a person can come to realise what is causing the depression and analyse the situation, “what is the worst thing about this problem” “what is good about the situation” and “ what can I do about this mess causing me grief. A person who can analyse the situation has to be a strong person to put things in perspective and control emotions that could lead to harmful events if let go on. If you can sit and analyse your situation listing the things from bad to good on paper and add to it how and what can I do to change the situation so that I can make things better for me. You have to realise that it is a phase that you are going through and it can only get better, if you make the right changes for yourself.

New Zealand’s largest nation-wide organisation that supports and helps women and children experiencing family violence.

Our vision is for all women and children in Aotearoa to live free from domestic and family violence. Research from overseas shows that in the wake of COVID19, family violence can get worse. Mandatory isolation puts strain on most relationships and on parenting, and this is especially risky for people living with violence. Most people will know someone who is being abused by a partner, even though they may not label it as family violence. Here are some important tips if you’re worried about your own or someone else’s safety. It is okay to ask for help. Women’s Refuge services might look different and you may be asked some questions about your health. This will not prevent you from getting help. Some people using violence may use COVID19 to further isolate their partners. The impacts of the pandemic on families and communities do not cause violence, but it can mean abusers have more opportunities to perpetrate and conceal violence. Abusive people might withhold essential items from victims, scare tactics about the virus, or prevent them from seeking help. Victims might feel reluctant to enter Refuges or seek social support if they think it will put their health at risk. If you feel unsafe you can call 111 at any time. You can also call 0800 REFUGE – our services will remain open 24/7. If you are concerned about somebody else, you can support them by keeping in touch with them. Some people may find it difficult to talk while in isolation if the abusive person is monitoring their devices. You can: Agree on a ‘code word’ in advance with your friend. If they message you that word, you can call the police and ask them to check on them. Ask them if they have the essential things they need (food, medication, and sanitary items) and help them to get them. Some abusive people will withhold these items. Help them to feel less isolated by setting up regular times to talk to you and to others. Encourage them to get in touch with Women’s Refuge if they feel unsafe. Please see FAQS at the bottom of this page. We know this is a time of uncertainty however, we are here to help. Make a donation Donations are one of the easiest and best ways that you can support Women’s Refuge, because they help us to plan for the future effectively and efficiently. .

If your situation is urgent, call our free

Crisis line on 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 OR Phone 111. Can I still reach out to Women’s Refuge?

Yes. Women’s Refuge is an essential service and while our services may look different we are here for women and children experiencing Family Violence 24/7. We will be minimising face to face contact (telephone and online guidance will be used whenever possible) in order to keep everyone safe.

What if I feel unsafe?

We have several ways you can get in contact: - Ring our crisis line on 0800REFUGE – Send a FB message through Women’s Refuge FB Page – Email us on info@refuge.org.nz – Send a confidential message that is through our Shielded Site feature found on The Warehouse, NZ Post and many other major websites.

If you or a family member are in immediate danger call 111

You may not like the out come but if you put good thoughts into your head you can overcome some of the issues causing you depression. It is OK to seek help from the professional people trained to help with depression. It is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes you need these people to help you. They will help you to get your thoughts into perspective so that you, can work on putting them in the right place for you, so that you can deal/cope with them. They cannot do this for you. You have choices and you have to deal with the facts, and you have to realise that you can make things better. Instead of trying to stop negative thoughts, you must learn to balance them. As this phase passes you know you are dealing with your problems and you have to keep working on them and it also may mean that you must be kind to yourself and put yourself first before others. For those who think of taking their life, it is not the answer! Seek professional help before you come to this. Life is worth living and each and every one of us were put here for a reason, find that reason. Think about your family and friends and what they are left to remember you by, and the struggle you leave them in dealing with someone they loved taking their life. Learn to love yourself. Don’t let a passing phase take your life Unknown Don’t wish to be named.

If you are suffering eye strain , headaches, blurriness or flashing light you should go an have your eyes checked to see that nothing sinister is going on. It could be that you need glasses or that maybe something else is going on within your head.

Your Tongue Can Tell what your Health Condition Is

A tongue may turn red, yellow, or purple and each colour may be indicative of a disease that you are currently suffering from or hiding in you. It is not unusual for your tongue to have a different colour or shade, but it can also mean the presence of infection or other medical conditions. Seek medical advice.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect how well our brains work. Dementia can affect anyone, and as people get older the chances of developing dementia increase. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease – around two-thirds of people with dementia have.

Reduce the risk of developing dementia

The symptoms each person experiences depends on the parts of the brain that are affected. However, the most common dementia symptoms include changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotions. These changes affect a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and interfere with their everyday lives.

Recent memory loss that affects daily life Difficulty performing regular tasks Problems with language Disorientation of time and place Decreased or poor judgment Problems with abstract thinking Misplacing things Changes in mood and behaviour Changes in personality Loss of initiative

Dementia is progressive, which means that for most people the changes gradually spread through the brain and lead to the symptoms getting worse. Dementia is different for everyone – what people experience, and how quickly they are affected is unique to them. What they can do, remember and understand may change from day to day. Reduce the risk of developing dementia As we get older, our risk of developing dementia increases. But evidence shows there are things you can do to help reduce this risk. These include keeping active, eating healthily and staying mentally active and social. For information visit https://alzheimers.org.nz/about-dementia

12 modifiable risk factors for dementia infographic

Fire

Well we have had heaps of advice in this news letter about keeping yourself and your family safe, and how to see that your home is safe….NOW

THE QUESTION IS … HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY NOTICE???

Christmas is almost here and you are going to have house loads of people coming to celebrate and have fun… its up to you to see you have safety measures in and around your home in the case of a disaster!!! Have you checked your smoke alarms? Or have you ignored all the advice and ads on TV… think how you would feel if one of your kids got severely burnt or killed due to the lack of checking your smoke alarms or putting smoke alarms in your home.

DON’T PUT THIS ON THE GUNA DO LIST!!! Do it now!!! Have you over loaded your power boxes???

Have you checked cords to see they are not damaged???

Come on people give our Emergency fire people a break! Don’t let us hear you say if only I ….. I should have ….

Do your children know what to do (Talk with them)

Motuotau (Rabbit) Island is 3.1 ha and is located due west of Mount Maunganui and about 500 m west of Moturiki (Leisure) Island.

Christmas Tree Removal

So Christmas is over and your tree is dying, what to do with it? After removing all the decorations you need to get rid of the tree correctly when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger. Don’t dump it in or around the house or garage dispose of it correctly by taking it to the dump Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights Inside after the holidays to prevent hazards.