Kia Ora 

Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Ngapuhi te iwi
Ko Ngai Tawake ki te waoku te hapu
Ko Mongero te maunga
Ko Te Heuheu te awa
Ko Kaingahoa te marae

My name is Stacey and I am the whanuau rep on Early Intervention in Psychosis Society Executive Committee.  I am a pretty busy Mum of 4, who is currently studying Occupational therapy, enjoys making cakes, learning te reo and hanging out with my whanau. 

I joined this committee when my son became unwell and was diagnosed with psychosis at only 15 years old. I joined because I wanted to help give a voice to my son's experience when he couldn't do it for himself. I also wanted to give a perspective of whanau and what we go through, and how the Early Psychosis Intervention services decisions and delivery affect the users and families who it is there to help.  

A highlight for me of being the whanau rep for the EIP committee, was being able to tell my story of what it is like to be the Mum of a son who develops psychosis at the National Early Intervention for Psychosis Training Forum that was held November 2019. I really didn't think these clinical experts would be that interested in what my son, myself and my whanau had gone through before and after he was diagnosed. I was very wrong and it showed me that, like me, health professionals involved in EI want to improve the consistency and level of support that both users and whanau receive, as this will help achieve the best outcome for the person experiencing psychosis as they progress through their recovery journey. I hope I can help make a positive difference to the EI services in Aotearoa.