The Brave Space

04/09/2026

Thanks for supporting this amazing cause Jessica Steel 🩷💪🙏

04/09/2026

I have absolutely no desire to build a social media following. I don’t even like it on here! But here we are 😂🤷‍♀️ - because I believe in the Mahi and there are people (especially youth) who need to know that alternative wellbeing pathways exist. (I draw the line at TikTok or Snapchat!)

Before you decide if it’s worth investing 7 minutes of your life listening to me rabbit on - here are the main points of this korero:

💵 Somebody has actually donated money to my challenge for Youthline! 😱 Thank you Jess for being the first person to chip in. Your support means the world. (Link to landing page for this in comments below.)

👣 A simple tip to get the most from your walk / run / fill-in-the-blank;

📞 What even is Youthline?

😴 A common withdrawal effect of stopping antidepressants/ anti-anxiety drugs even when tapering at the speed of a sloth 🦥).

💪 Another step taken toward becoming psychiatric medication free after almost three decades.

Arohanui x

02/09/2026

🩷 Walking for Change 🩷

Another day, another hikoi for Youthline’s - and another sign that we are so supported on this mission of critical importance to help children, teens and young adults across Aotearoa.

This was not an easy walk for me, as I received the devastating news of another beautiful soul within my network, let down by the mental health care system in New Zealand and taken by su***de. 💔

The existing/old system of mental health care is imploding. We need new ways of doing things that focus MUCH more on prevention and early intervention, to avoid these heartbreaking scenarios of people reaching crisis point and not being able to access the help they require. 🥲

Thank God for the dedication of non-profit organisations such as Youthline, or we would be in an even worse predicament.

These little seeds of change are starting to grow 🌱. I am committed to being part of the new way forward and reimagining a different model of wellbeing and thriving for kids the world over. This is already happening - one child, one family, one empowerment circle at a time. 🩷

01/09/2026

👣 Walk the Talk Day One - synchronicities are everywhere 👣

Today I started my challenge to raise money and awareness for the lifesaving work of Youthline.

The challenge I’ve set myself is a simple one - to walk barefoot in nature for at least one hour a day for 30 days, regardless of the weather..

This might not sound terribly exciting - but it’s something “little” I can commit to that makes a big difference to my mental and emotional state…. especially when the sun’s out and I can chat to Oyster Catchers and “random” people along the way. (Yes,the secret is out - I talk to birds! 🦅 😆)

I suppose you could think of it as low hanging fruit in wellbeing land 🍇.

I also notice signs in the environment that I’m supported and guided by something much bigger than me, and that I’m on the right track (literally and metaphorically!)… such as this “random” shell cross all by itself in the middle of a very blustery beach.

It might sound a bit woo woo to some, but in my experience spiritual health is interwoven with mental health… and when we can open our eyes (and heart) to a higher power, and trust in the bigger picture unfolding on earth, it can be a tremendous source of strength and relief.

The times we are in can feel really heavy. Sending love and encouragement to all who need it today 🩷

31/08/2026

🔥 Feel It to Heal it Baby! 🔥

What’s your favourite way to get anger out of your system? Mine is still to put on some Rage and angry dance / punch the air until I feel better 😂 😡 Better to let off steam this way. than allow it to build up and cause a potential 🌋 …. and projectile vomit onto someone else.

All emotions are powerful messengers that support our growth snd healing, when channelled in a healthy way.

We’ll be doing some angry dancing at The Brave Space today - with a more tween friendly soundtrack 😉

28/08/2026

Tautoko this initiative. “Often what people need first is connection, understanding and time.”
New ways (or old ways coming back?)

New Kaitāia crisis café offers free after-hours mental health support.

28/08/2026

Hey community!

I'm taking on Walk the Talk, Youthline's 30-day fundraising challenge, where I'll be moving OUTSIDE in NATURE every day throughout September to help raise funds for Youthline's 24/7 Helpline.

Why?

🌳 Because I work with tamariki every day and see firsthand the pressures they face, and the challenges they are dealing with. It's a whole different world out there.

🌳 Because I have lived experience of moving through depression, anxiety, panic attacks, an acute mental health crisis (nervous breakdown) and prescribed medication harm... and coming out the other side. I now devote much of my time to helping tamariki and rangatahi build mental and emotional resilience without pharmaceutical intervention.

🌳 Because I have journeyed to the depths and back with "mental health struggles" and prescribed med harm, and want to be a beacon of hope for young people, to let them know there is a light at the end of the tunnel - and that absolutely anything is possible.

🌳 Because I know how lifechanging it can be to simply connect with a reliable and professional support service, and a skilled, compassionate counsellor who actively listens and is available to hold space when that help is actually required (not in three weeks or three months time). In today's world, authentic human connection and a deeply caring, present, listening ear are so valuable (and rare).

🌳 Because the simple act of moving in nature (eg. walk, run, bike, swim, dance, surf etc!) is still one of the most helpful (and under-rated) interventions I have come across to support mind-body-spirit wellbeing and healing... in my almost five decades on the planet. It is also free and accessible to most people.

🌳 Because I haven't been moving enough over winter and spring is the perfect time to introduce more gentle movement into the calendar, to support both mental and physical health.

🌳 Because the world feels crazy right now, and nature is grounding and healing - and the best medicine we have available to us.

This is a difficult climate to fundraise in, so I'm not asking anybody to donate money - unless you absolutely want to! I'm more interested in raising awareness about the amazing mahi that YouthLine does, and advocating for more prevention and early intervention services for kids and teens, so our young ones are better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of life, and less likely to find themselves at crisis point.

It is time for change.

Thank you for caring and please join if this moves you (pun intended) 🏃‍♀️
Amy - The Brave Space

Make a donation today to support Walk the Talk

27/08/2026

I’m receiving enquiries from psychologists about the work I do with young people, asking for more information and flyers. I’d love to engage a youth to help with designing this material (real person - not AI). Please reach out if you know someone - thanks!

26/08/2026

Too often, medication is being handed out as the first line of treatment for young people who are struggling with mental and emotional distress following traumatic life events. There is a better way.

25/08/2026

Hey 👋 My name is Amy. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, am 47 years old and almost halfway through a multi-year taper off a psychiatric medication that was prescribed by the family GP almost three decades ago, when I was going through a rough patch at university.

I share my story to raise awareness of the risks of anti depressants and anti anxiety medication, and now devote much of my life to helping young people thrive without pharmaceutical interventions.

This light may have been temporarily dulled through a sh*tty and life-altering decision to take a seemingly harmless product, but it sure as hell never disappeared … and is coming back stronger and brighter than ever. Watch this space 💪 ⭐️🙏 😉

NB. Medication has its place. I advocate for fully informed consent, client lead tapering and safer deprescribing. The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines is an essential resource for anybody considering coming off antidepressants or benzodiazepines.