A nurse with a passion for family support and postnatal care has been appointed to the role of mental wellbeing navigator for the Central Lakes area, which includes both the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago District.

Lisa Gear has taken on the newly created role following a career in mental health, paediatric and neonatal nursing.

“I have seen first-hand the real challenges that some people can experience navigating their way to the services that are available to them,” Lisa said. “When this position was advertised, I could immediately see the value of it and was keen to make a difference in this area.”

The mental wellbeing navigator role was established by the Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group, which formed following the COVID-19 lockdown to provide a connection point for agencies seeking to support the community.

A number of initiatives have been established in the past year in the area (including the Kia Kaha Hub and health improvement practitioners working in general practices), but the group also identified the need for a role that could help ‘join the dots’. The role’s aim is to help build awareness of the services that are available, and connect people with the support they may need.

“COVID-19 has challenged us all, and Central Lakes has been specifically impacted by the disruption to our economy and international communities,” Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group chair Adell Cox said. “We are excited to have someone with Lisa’s experience join us in supporting this part of New Zealand through this challenging time in our history.”

The mental wellbeing navigator role is a two year position, reporting to Central Lakes Family Services. It has been made possible by funding from Central Lakes Trust, Wakatipu Greatest Needs Fund, Community Trust South and Lotteries New Zealand.