How to support TAMARIKI THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

Former teacher Leigh Patuawa offers her top tips to help children who are struggling with their mental health

Everyone experiences difficulties and children are no different. Issues such as isolation, loneliness and grief affect young people just as much as their parents, and Kiwi kids endure some of the highest levels of school bullying in the OECD.

Former teacher Leigh Patuawa has written the "Soul Learning" programme to support children facing challenges, helping them reconnect with themselves and their wairua - their soul, spirit or essence.

"As a teacher, I saw so many students struggling with tough times and trauma in their lives," Leigh tells Woman's Day. "Experiencing the trauma of losing my mum at a young age, I was inspired to create Soul Learning as a way of creating a journey of reconnecting to, finding and loving yourself."

Aware that parents can often feel helpless when their child is struggling, she has put together her top tips to help parents and guardians to support the kids in their lives...

BE BRAVE