Deborah Selwood
Service Manager
Child, Adolescent and Family Service
“The stories and referrals I deal with every day can get quite distressing. I’m a parent too and it’s hard knowing just how much support our young people need, but this new space will make a difference and knowing our community is behind us is very special.”
Deborah Selwood’s job isn’t an easy one, but it’s one she knows is life-changing – and often life- saving.
As Service Manager in the Child, Adolescent and Family mental health service (CAF) she is accountable for around 250 staff across both inpatient and community services covering all disciplines from day to day running, planning clinical pathways, and managing service demand.
Deborah’s been at the service for five years and says the change she’s seen in the complexity of patients over that time is extraordinary.
“There’s been a significant increase in escalation of mental health problems and mental distress. In the past we were working with people with moderate mental health issues but now most of our young people have very significant troubles. That means they’re needing to be seen for longer and that impacts our capacity to treat people.”
She says the acuity and complexity of referrals is much higher than it used to be, which is putting pressure on staff who are working in high-stress jobs in an environment that is far from ideal.
“People come here for the first time and they’re shocked at the facilities. I feel emotional about it because this is what our young people come to when they’re at a time of need. It can take them a lot longer to open up to staff because where we treat them is not an inviting space.”
Deborah says her job is challenging, but Māia Health Foundation’s commitment to fund a new outpatient space is humbling.
“The fact that people are helping us with this new space, and even making it a reality in the first place, feels very special.
“We’re just not used to that, so it’s such a nice thing for children and young people and our team because what they’re going to be getting is a space that looks lovely and warm. It’ll show people have thought about them.”
Māia’s Better Space Appeal aims to raise $1 million for the new, fit-for-pupose outpatient space for child and youth mental health. The new facility will be called Kahurangi. In total, Māia has commited to raise $6 million towards the project.
Deborah says her team is dreaming of not only a new environment, but one which enables more effective treatments, allows for new, modern teaching methods, and provides technologies that will give the service greater reach.
“We have no doubt this new facility will result in improved outcomes for young people and their families. It will make a difference.”
She wants others to get behind the Better Space Appeal to make things better for children accessing specialist mental health support.
“The stories and referrals I deal with every day can get quite distressing. I’m a parent too and it’s hard knowing just how much support our young people need, but this new space will make a difference and knowing our community is behind us is very special.
“Having the feeling that people care about you at a fundamental level I think makes all the difference.
“Join us in helping young people feel valued. Give them hope and show them that people care. They want a space that feels lovely and comfortable so they can get well, and we need our community to help us deliver that.”
For further information or to give to Māia’s Better Space Appeal go to www.betterspace.org.nz.
