‘Maybe I could be of some use’: Mental health nurse Gavin Smith

Veteran mental health nurse Gavin Smith is back at Gisborne Hospital working for Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ICAMHS). Image supplied

Interest in working with young people piqued when at Te Waharoa

Mental health nurse Gavin Smith is a well-known face in mental health services having worked for two decades in the community and at Gisborne Hospital.

Mr Smith has moved to Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ICAMHS) at the hospital with a desire to help young people and their families manage mental health distress.

“Being a dad and having a sense of what functional family life looks like, I thought maybe I could be of some use,” he said.

The registered nurse trained at Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital south of Te Awamutu in the 1980s.

He went on to nurse in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre in Hamilton.

He followed his heart to the East Coast after meeting a Gisborne woman, and has worked for Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti and its predecessors, ever since.

Mr Smith worked most recently at Te Waharoa which uses a kaupapa Māori approach to mental health.

Grounded in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) the unique approach to support was previously known as Te Kuwatawata.

He enjoyed working with adults and their families.

“It’s always satisfying seeing people get better and to think maybe I played a small part in helping them get through.”

The experience piqued his interest in working specifically with younger people.

“I used to work only with adults, but during my work at Te Waharoa, I would see quite a few young people and their families. I used to think working with children would be challenging but as time went by, I realised it’s enjoyable.”

Anxiety, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are just some of the issues young people and their families need support with.

When he’s not working, Mr Smith loves surfing and photography.

Some of his photographs graced the walls at Te Waharoa where art is regularly used as a form of release for people going through distress.