By Amy Castle, General Manager, PADA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa)
Some days, I look around and wonder how any of us are still standing. Between juggling work, whānau, and the constant push to do more with less, it can feel like a small miracle that we keep showing up.
As a mum of three, stepmum to three more (aged between 4 and 16), and parent to a young person with special needs, I see the cracks and the courage every single day. Add to that a role in the perinatal mental health sector where our workforce holds stories of heartbreak, healing, and hope. It becomes crystal clear: the people who care for others need care too.
The invisible weight of caring
In Aotearoa, we have extraordinary humans working in a system that’s deeply fractured and chronically underfunded. The compassion is there, but the capacity often isn’t.
I’ve met midwives who skip breaks to finish notes, social workers who buy nappies from their own pocket, and counsellors who carry the pain of the families they support home with them. And I’ve been there too, showing up when running on fumes and trying to hold space for others while barely holding it together myself.
When we ignore our own wellbeing, it’s not just burnout that follows. It’s disconnection. Our empathy dulls, our spark fades, and suddenly the work that once gave us purpose starts to take from us.
It’s not selfish to rest — It’s necessary
Somewhere along the way, we started glorifying exhaustion as proof of commitment. But rest isn’t laziness, it’s leadership.
The truth is, good care starts with self-care. It’s not an indulgence; it’s a strategy. When we nurture the workforce, we strengthen the entire wellbeing ecosystem.
That’s why workforce wellbeing is not a side conversation, it’s central to PADA’s kaupapa. The braided river model reminds us that every strand matters: the whānau, and the providers. If one runs dry, the whole system suffers.
Where can providers turn for support?
If you’re working in this space, you don’t have to shoulder everything alone. There are services and communities here to tautoko you:
- Te Whatu Ora’s Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP): Free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support for most DHB and NGO staff.
- Le Va & Whāraurau: Culturally grounded training, supervision, and self-care resources for the mental health workforce.
- The Kindness Institute: Mindfulness and resilience workshops tailored for care professionals.
- Tend Health: Mental Wellness Service – a free, accessible support option now available for all New Zealanders through the Mental Health Innovation Fund.
- PADA Workshops: We regularly include workforce wellbeing in our training for perinatal professionals because your health matters too.
- Peer Supervision Networks: Reach out to colleagues in your area, shared reflection reduces isolation and builds collective resilience.
Five Ways to Care for Yourself While Caring for Others
Here are small, realistic actions you can take, even in a busy caring role:
- Pause with Purpose: Build in micro-breaks. A five-minute reset between clients, a breath before the next task. These moments matter.
- Name It, Don’t Numb It: Talk about what’s hard. Whether it’s with a supervisor, colleague, or friend, speaking truth stops stress from turning into shame.
- Reclaim the Edges of Your Day: Protect your mornings and evenings. Simple rituals: walking, journaling, sitting in the sun. Refill the tank.
- Connect, Don’t Compare: Find your people, those who get it. Compassion fatigue fades faster when we feel seen.
- Rest Without Guilt: You’re not letting anyone down by looking after yourself. You’re modelling sustainability for your team and your whānau.
A gentle reminder
If you’re reading this and feeling tired, truly tired, please know you’re not alone. You are doing important, meaningful work in a system that often forgets to care for its carers.
Your wellbeing matters as much as the wellbeing of those you serve. Resting isn’t giving up; it’s recharging your ability to keep giving in a way that’s sustainable and full of heart.
We may not be able to fix the system overnight, but together we can start to change the culture. One rested, supported, and cared-for provider at a time.
PADA’s Commitment to Workforce Wellbeing
At PADA, we believe that wellbeing is contagious. When providers feel safe, valued, and supported, that energy flows directly to the whānau they serve.
Explore our resources for providers on our website.
Together, we can create a culture of care that uplifts everyone, from the whānau in distress to the kaimahi beside them.
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