Monique Malloch

Case Manager
Child, Adolescent and Family Service

“You’re not donating to some stranger; these are your neighbours, your friend’s kids, your colleague’s kids, your nieces or nephews. Mental health touches all of us in one way or another, and we will all know a child or young person who has needed our help.”

This year marks Monique Malloch’s 33rd year working in mental health as an Occupational Therapist. For the last two decades, Monique’s worked in Christchurch’s Child, Adolescent and Family (CAF) mental health service.

Monique’s current role is a Case Manager, predominantly working with the ADHD team. Her patients range from six-year-olds having difficulty at school to teenagers who have depression or anxiety.

“Kids with ADHD don’t come with an instruction manual. There’s a lot going on in their brain and they can have trouble with big emotions.”

Monique says her job is a privilege because of the impact the team can have on the lives of their patients.

“People have become a lot more complex. People's lives have become more complex and the environment we’ve been in for the last 10 years is far more complex. All these things are being layered upon our little people – it’s not quite as straightforward as it once was.”

“I had a young boy who couldn't join a sports team because he couldn't concentrate and focus and none of the other kids liked playing with him.

“After some intervention and medication, he got invited to his first birthday party, his grades went up and he started playing soccer. It makes me teary to think about because we have teamed with the family and changed the whole trajectory of that boy’s life.”

Monique says when patients and families come to see her, she tries to make them feel special. “We all have things we’re really good at. I love working to find out what that is for my patients and

showing them I believe in them.”
That sense of hope is something Monique believes is missing in the space she currently works.

“I don’t believe our buildings provide a sense of hope for people. If they were bright and welcoming, it would help instil hope in someone’s journey.”

Monique’s vision for a fit-for-purpose, inviting space for child and youth mental health is about to come to life, through Māia Health Foundation’s Better Space Appeal, a public appeal to raise $1 million for a new outpatient space for child and youth mental health. The Better Space Appeal is the final push towards the $6 million Māia promised to raise for the project.

“This whole appeal is so humbling because it’s an opportunity for everyday people to show they

care. You’re not donating to some stranger; these are your neighbours, your friend’s kids, your

colleague’s kids, your nieces or nephews. Mental health touches all of us in one way or another, and we will all know a child or young person who has needed our help.

“We’re so lucky Māia Health Foundation chose to help us so we can better support our tamariki and

rangatahi. Māia will ensure we get an amazing space which is so important because we have one chance to get this right for our children.

“If we can make this part of their journey positive for our young people, they're more likely to not need mental health services later in life – which will be a huge win for everyone.”

For further information or to give to Māia’s Better Space Appeal go to www.betterspace.org.nz