Seeking Salvation in winter

Winter exacerbates mental health issues for vulnerable people, a Blenheim Salvation Army social worker says.

As the Salvation Army records increased demand for their services over winter, Blenheim Salvation Army social worker Bridget Nolan has also noticed increased cases of anxiety and depression.

She said mental health had been at the ‘‘forefront’’ of a lot of people’s problems, particularly in the past several weeks in the colder weather.

‘‘They’re just at the end of their tether, they don’t know where else to go for any help,’’ Nolan said. ‘‘Winter seems to exacerbate that feeling – they’re cold, they haven’t got enough food – winter can promote depression and low mood and make us feel more isolated and alone.’’

The Salvation Army provided food parcels, budgeting advice, social work and development, and emergency housing to about 120,000 vulnerable New Zealanders each year.

The Blenheim Salvation Army drop-in centre, on Henry St, opened for three hours, three days a week, and saw up to 15 people a week.

In Nelson, the drop-in centre opened for four hours, three days a week, and saw about 30 people through the door most days.

‘‘A third of them are requiring assistance and the rest are just coming to get out of the cold and have something to eat and drink,’’ Nelson Tasman Bay Salvation Army team leader for community ministries Ros Vercoe said.

Mental health issues had risen steadily in the past several years, ‘‘perhaps not in instance but in intensity’’, Vercoe said.

Winter could increase financial pressures on vulnerable people, which in turn could affect health issues, she said.

‘‘There’s such a correlation between poverty and poor health,’’ she said.

‘‘[Winter] increases their need for accessing services because they might need some help with food so they can pay their power bill.’’

A Salvation Army initiative, the Positive Lifestyle Programme, helped clients to get through the colder months.

An eight-module course – including topics such as anger and grief – the ‘‘cognitive-based behavioural therapy programme’’ gave vulnerable people the tools to cope with their situations.

‘‘Our doors are open to anybody and everybody,’’ said Nolan, who had been running the programme locally over the past three years.