Village App

Empowering young people to take control of their mental wellbeing

Since the onset of the pandemic, presentations of young people to hospital with self-harm have increased by 25% in the 15-19 year age group and 50% in the 10-14 year age group. Over 5,600 young people presented with self-harm to emergency departments around the country in 2021 alone – an increase of 9 per cent in one year, indicating increased levels in youth mental distress.

In a shared commitment to addressing the growing mental health needs of young people in Aotearoa, the Starship Foundation, in partnership with Five Star Partner ASB, has funded the clinical research and development of “Village”- a communications app to support youth experiencing mental distress and at risk of self-harm.

Founded on the premise that it takes a village to raise a child, the Village app was co-designed with rangatahi and whānau for…rangatahi and whānau. The app supports young people to connect and share their feelings with trusted friends and family, called buddies. The buddies are in turn guided by the app about how to best respond to their needs.

Village is an evidence-based app, clinically researched and developed by Starship experts. Based on proven principles of whānau-ora, e-health, peer support and self-help, the app is a safe and guided space for young people to process their emotions and works effectively alongside counselling or therapy for extra support.

Help our rangatahi get connected today.

For further information and to download the app, visit www.villageapp.kiwi.