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I am passionate about using research and evaluation in ways that make a positive difference to the people who use mental health and addiction services, so I see it as a privilege to be working within this sector today.
I completed my PhD at Auckland University and, more recently, graduated from the Blueprint Advanced Executive Leadership and Management Programme (AELMP). Over the last seven years, I worked in DHB clinical services, building a research, evaluation and audit team. This included the development of a consumer-led evaluation group.
Working collaboratively is fundamental to my vision of a vibrant sector culture: I want to see a culture where service users, service providers and academics all contribute to building services that work for those who use them.
Two key questions in all my work are: "How do we know this is making a difference? What is the evidence?". So it is a fabulous opportunity for me to work with the sector to grow and support active innovative research and evaluation, where enquiry is a core practice for everyone working within it.
I am looking forward to building very close cross-stream alliances with the workforce and information programmes. This is an exciting sector, with huge potential, where many of its people share a vision of services that really do support and enhance people's recovery.
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I am delighted to be working for Te Pou in the role of clinical project lead – research. I believe in the use of best available evidence to inform practice, and think that evidence must prioritise the views of service-users. I am looking forward to supporting clinicians to implement best evidence to make positive practice changes, and to have good practices recognised and supported.
Although I am based in Christchurch, much of my nursing practice occurred in Auckland in a variety of settings, including inpatient, continuing-care and crisis team roles. I have also had experience in undergraduate and post-graduate nursing education and in research. I look forward to being able to use my experience to work collaboratively with clinicians and service-users to support good outcomes for all.
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I have a background as a clinician and manager in adult mental health services here and in Australia. After completing my postgraduate education I worked as a lecturer and researcher at Melbourne University and I have also worked as a private contractor undertaking health research and policy analysis.
My PhD investigated and compared indigenous health policies in Australia and Aotearoa. I am particularly interested in the effects of all types of exclusion and discrimination on health and in connecting research to everyday clinical practice.
Working for Te Pou has gives me the opportunity to be involved in a diverse range of projects and research that promote positive change within the sector.
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Originally I left school to work in tourism, and studying business part-time ignited my passion for learning. Reflection on what was important to me led me to undertake full-time study at Massey University in Palmerston North before returning to Auckland and completing a Master of Arts in clinical psychology.
In September 2008 I finished my PhD, which investigated an extended 'stages of change' model in relation to dietary behaviour change. The promotion of health and well being, early intervention and the reduction of inequalities in health are important to me. I am excited about my role here at Te Pou and being part of the research team.
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Storytelling has been a central part of my working life.
Sociology and ethnology really excited me and I completed my social science degree at the University of Vienna. This training gave me an excellent basis from which to apply qualitative and quantitative research in education, tourism, justice and health projects in innovative ways.
Highlights since moving to New Zealand in 1993 include leading and working on evaluation projects for the Department of Corrections and Justice, and focusing on effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes. I value multi-disciplinary work and projects that include contact with all parts of an organisation, from service user to senior staff. A recent example is my work with an Auckland Hospital service developing and implementing outcome measurement systems. I enjoy finding out how things work and how they can work better.
Artistic creativity, through making film and documentaries, plays a significant role in my life. I look forward to using multi media in the research process. It will enable us to present research findings through many different media and appeal to our diverse mental health audience.
I'm excited to be part of the team at Te Pou and to embark on mental heath research and storytelling.
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I'm enthusiastic about supporting effective mental health care and quality of life for people who experience mental illness.
Prior to coming to Te Pou I developed my research skills during my Honours Degree in Psychology from The University of Otago and through my research internship with the Police. I've also been lucky to get a little more insight into mental health experiences across the wider community through volunteer work and training with the Youthline phone support service. It was inspiring to hear personal stories of change, and motivated me to seek answers around how services and supports could be made more effective and more in touch with the reality of people who experience mental illness.
I love learning and I love helping! Te Pou provides a great opportunity to apply my enthusiasm for using evaluation and research to support and contribute to developing mental health services in the community.
In my spare time you'll find me outdoors, tramping and exploring little-known places in New Zealand and even those further abroad!
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Carol Maibvisira
Research assistant
carol.maibvisira@tepou.co.nz
I was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and am the first-born in a family of two children. I have a BA Honours in Industrial Psychology from Rhodes University, South Africa, and am studying towards an MA in Development Studies with the University of Auckland.
Initially I worked in human resources and administration but decided to change as I find working and engaging with people on the social and developmental aspects of their lives rewarding and an outworking of my faith. For the last couple of years I have been working in NGO sector in Harare. I was involved in my local church and para-church organisations that work with children at risk in Zimbabwe and Africa.
For the past three years I have been co-ordinating a project that works with girls and young mothers living on the streets of Harare. We helped them work through pain and trauma; rehabilitate and reintegrate back into their family structures and society as a whole.
I am happy to be part of such a vibrant and passionate team and look forward to learning more about the work being done in this part of the world.
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I graduated from the University of Auckland in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education. This encouraged what had always been an underlying interest in social policy.
After travelling overseas for several months of reflection, I decided to turn to something more ‘hands on’. I am now in my final year of a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) at AUT. Throughout my course of study I have had the opportunity to work and learn in a wide variety of healthcare settings, particularly in community based mental health services.
It is an exciting time to be working with Te Pou as the mental health sector continues to evolve and strengthen in its approach to recovery oriented practice. I am looking forward to contributing to research that can be translated into practical solutions which will make a real and positive difference to people’s lives.
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Mike Wilson
Research project lead - clinical services development
mike.wilson "at" tepou.co.nz
I started my nursing career in cardiac intensive care in the US, and shifted into health research on migrating to New Zealand in 1990. I worked as project manager for community-based diabetes interventions and clinical drug trials at the University of Auckland.
I first engaged in mental health service delivery as the manager for a supported accommodation trust. After a stint as a restaurateur, I opted for the sanity of mental health research, re-entering the workforce as an evaluator for an inpatient service delivery project. I have developed a unique portfolio in mental health nursing, supporting clinical and organisational research for Auckland District Health Board mental health services, delivering MH-SMART training, and coaching for postgraduate nursing students.
I spent a brief period as nurse consultant (a split appointment between the DHB and University of Auckland) before joining Te Pou's research team. The Seclusion: Time for change project galvanises my interests in mental health work because it has the potential to enhance the safety of staff and service users alike through translating the best evidence we have into best clinical practice.
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