January 10, 2022
Whānau support for tamariki mental health
Ann Grennell works with tamariki and their whānau facing mental health challenges has been recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours and appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
For 30 years Grennell has worked as an advocate for children diagnosed with behavioural and mental health challenges including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children’s mental health says Grennell, has no preference for anyone, not social status or culture.
Grennell helped develop Rostrevor House from a support group into a Kaupapa Māori Mental Health and Social Services provider. The service has grown from Kirikiriroa, Hamilton to Waikato, Thames, Te Awamutu and Tokoroa.
Rostrevor House provides social work support which includes one to one parenting and meaningful activities and support groups for parent/caregivers who have children with difficult behaviour.
“Whānau deserve individual support and wrap around support with the right specialists. It’s important that the families are well supported.”
A member of Waikato District Health Board’s (DHB) Local Advisory Board since 2010. Grennell is particularly proud of the DHB’s Children’s Cluster Governance Group creating Children’s Cluster teams to develop infant, child and youth mental health and addictions services.
Grennell is modest about her honour, “I’m humbled and a bit embarrassed. You don’t achieve things on your own. I’ve accepted this recognition on behalf of the awesome team now and those in the past.” She also honours those families they work with. “These whānau have to dig deep as they want to do the best for their children and we are here to help and support them.”