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Helen Houghton
New Conservative Co-leader
Tauranga candidate for the by-election
New Conservative Co-leader Helen Houghton and the Tauranga candidate for the by-election is not surprised by the news today that there is a 177 % increase in the mental health of children and teenagers. “What I am surprised about is why, why are we not asking questions about the reasons that our young people are struggling?” While Helen agrees that there are issues that must be dealt with; like gaining access to more mental health clinicians and the funding to support all people with well-being, we must call for addressing the reasons why children are so depressed.
Looking at the root causes of anxiety and depression around our youth instead of having a flippant approach to childhood anxiety as a regular normal occurrence, as well as having critical open discussions about the lack of adult protections for childhood safety should be at the front of our communities. After teaching in primary and intermediate schools for 16 years Helen believes the safe environment that she ensured during her time teaching, is one of the goals expected and stated in the New Zealand Standards of Teachers, (to provide a safe learning environment for all students) is not what is occurring now. Helen said our schools are not only failing children academically, but they are implementing dangerous unscientific theories confusing children and thereby putting children at risk for their mental health.
As a mother, educator, and founding director of a charitable NGO working alongside families and navigating her own childhood/teenage challenges Helen has the life experience and knows the real issues that can affect families and how trauma, substance abuse, and/or violence can impact the development of children in a lifelong negative way. Add to that poor government policy we will continue to see a rise in young people suffering.
As a mother, a carer for high-needs foster children who suffer from past trauma and a community leader Helen challenges leaders in the community as well as church leaders to step up with their guardianship of all children. She challenges the government to provide better protection for all children and is calling on the government to change policy around various agencies having access to your child’s education.
