Otago Mental Health Support Trust — Mental health service in Dunedin, F7
Address43 Princes Street Central Dunedin 9016, Dunedin, F7
Phone+6434772598
Websiteomhst.org.nz
Otago Mental Health Support Trust (OMHST) is a peer-led charitable organisation established in 1986, offering support and advocacy for individuals experiencing mental distress and/or addiction. Their approach is grounded in lived experience, utilising an Intentional Peer Support model that prioritises connection and learning. OMHST provides one-on-one and group peer support, advocacy for lived experience voices, and tailored education sessions. They operate from Dunedin Community House but often meet clients in the community. Self-referrals are welcome, and they are not an emergency crisis service. Their mission is to promote full lives for people experiencing mental distress through peer-led initiatives and inclusive communities.
Best for
- Individuals with lived experience of mental distress
- Individuals with addiction challenges
- Those seeking peer support
- People needing advocacy
| Key services | Peer support, Advocacy, Education sessions, Crisis Recovery Cafe, Women's group, Men's group |
| Tags | peer support, mental health, addiction recovery, advocacy, dunedin, lived experience, intentional peer support, community support, crisis recovery, support group |
Location
Also in Dunedin
Miriam Marler offers trauma-informed bodywork and massage informed by Traditional Thai Massage, breathwork, and somatic bodywork. Sessions are designed to facilitate deep parasympathetic nervous system relaxation, address needs for tactile feedback, nonverbal communication, and somatic awareness. Her approach encourages fascia release, improved blood and lymph flow, increased flexibility, stress relief, and emotional release. Treatments are performed fully clothed on a futon on the floor, promoting a grounding experience. Miriam has experience working with clients with ACC sensitive claims to support their journey back to their body and create experiences of safe touch. She is part of the Aotearoa Embodiment Collective, a collaboration with Jooske Honig, focused on movement exploration, body wisdom, and connection.
Jooske Honig is a Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapist, Intuitive Consultant, and Sacred Navigator based in Dunedin, Aotearoa, New Zealand. With over two decades of experience, she offers an integrative approach to healing, blending somatic awareness, mindfulness, intuitive insight, and creative expression. Jooske's practice aligns with Māori models of wellbeing, such as Te Whare Tapa Whā, creating culturally attuned spaces for growth. Her therapeutic methodology includes breath meditation, body-based practices, Internal Family Systems work, creative explorations, art-making, and specialised bodywork. She also provides couple counselling and relational support, holding sessions as a sacred container. Jooske's work aims to support individuals and couples in reconnecting with their body, mind, spirit, and soul, facilitating profound transformation and self-discovery.
Chris Starling is a registered counsellor (MNZAC) based in Dunedin, Otago, offering services through Taste Nature Integrative Health. He holds a Bachelor of Social Services (Counselling) from Otago Polytechnic. Starling's therapeutic approach is informed by a variety of counselling modalities, including Rogerian Person Centred Counselling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Integrated Family Systems Therapy. He works through a trauma-informed lens, drawing on the work of Gabor Maté. Starling also has a deep interest in Eastern philosophies, particularly Advaita/Non-Duality, as expressed by figures such as Rupert Spira, Gangaji, Stuart Schwartz, and Richard Sylvester. Clients describe him as a helpful listener with life experience, good thinking, and a kind heart, capable of assisting people from diverse backgrounds.