About Us

RISE is an exciting project for young New Zealanders to carry out their own youth mental health awareness project.
RISE is about rising up to help increase youth mental health awareness and it is about empowerment and the opportunity for young people to promote mental health and wellbeing to other young people.

If you're 20 years of age or under, you can get up to $1000 (if you're an individual), or up to $5000 (for groups) for your project.

Your imagination is your limit!

Come up with a creative project and tell us how it's related to youth mental health and wellbeing and teaching other young people about it, and we'll fund you to do it 'cos we want to support you to RISE UP!

>>Download a RISE Information Sheet

About the Team:

Shona Clarke - Project Leader

I've worked in mental health as a Youth Consumer Advisor since I was 18. I also have a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in psychology. I enjoy cycling, running, and most things active, reading, doting on my cat, and am passionate about youth mental health stuff.

Joyce Leevard - Youth Consumer Advisor

I have been working in the mental health field since October 2007 and have been involved in the field before this time. I enjoy spending time with my twin sister and close friends, sports, reading, cooking and I also love cleaning as my hobbies. Since finding out about New Zealand's mental health services I have become very involved and passionate about helping others and wanting to improve the systems to benefit the users. I think this project is a great idea to help improve awareness around 'mental health' and I am very excited to be involved.

About The Werry Centre

RISE is a project of The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health workforce development programme. The Werry Centre aims to increase the numbers and help develop the people that work with young people with mental health issues. For example we organise training and write documents (after talking to lots of people) about the services and people that work in child and adolescent mental health and alcohol and drug in New Zealand.