Free counselling to primary and intermediate aged children across Dunedin.
With a marked shortage of mental health support for our young tamariki, combined with a considerable number of barriers to receive those services, be heard! endeavours to overcome those obstacles by providing free and readily available one-to-one counselling for children within selected Dunedin schools.
About Us
be heard! is a not-for-profit organisation designed to offer free one-to-one counselling at selected primary and intermediate schools across Dunedin.
Mental health challenges can present in various ways and to varying degrees, therefore, we strive to simplify and reduce the criteria, referral process, and lengthy wait times, making access to mental health support (no matter the challenge), a lot quicker, easier, and less distressing.
Our professional and confidential services are provided on school grounds to ensure effortless usability for families, within a familiar environment.
Our trained and experienced be heard! counsellor will work with the children and others as appropriate, with the aim of bringing about positive change as well as normalising and supporting mental health and wellbeing within our community.
Our Team
Kelly Macknight
FOUNDER
Having children of her own has been a huge driving force behind Kelly’s passion for providing free counselling to our young tamariki. Volunteering, fundraising, and being an active member of the school community over the years has allowed Kelly to see first-hand the importance of mental health support within the primary and intermediate school sectors. Recognising the serious need and multitude of barriers across the current industry led Kelly to create be heard! Kelly brings a strong leadership background and experienced business approach to this not-for-profit organisation.
Chelsea Rhyne-Slijkerman
COUNSELLOR
Chelsea uses her training and experience in Social Work to create a safe space for children to explore their thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviours. Applying a person-centred, strengths based approach, tamariki will be given tools to help them process some of the challenges they are experiencing and help them build resilience.
In addition to her Masters in Social Work, Chelsea has a PGDip in Psychology and has experience working on a school counselling team.
When not at work Chelsea spends time with her family and friends.
Donate
be heard! is a not-for-profit organisation, we are entirely reliant on donations, grants, and fundraising initiatives.
Your financial support means we can offer free one-to-one counselling to primary and intermediate aged tamariki at selected schools across Dunedin, making mental health services more readily available for our local children. If you would like to contribute or support us in any way, please visit our givealittle page or email Kelly Macknight directly at: kelly@beheard.org.nz
We are hugely grateful for your generosity.
