22 Mar 2019

It's Good To Talk

From Eating Fried Chicken in the Shower, 6:00 pm on 22 March 2019
Flowers laid outside Al Noor Mosque.

Flowers laid outside Al Noor Mosque. Photo: AFP

That’s what Eating Fried Chicken in the Shower is all about.

Host James Nokise goes into his safe space – the shower – to talk with all sorts of notable New Zealanders to share food and to talk about headspace, happiness and the things that matter to them.

After every episode, James also sits down with clinical psychologist Dr Sarb Johal to talk about any issues that might have arisen and to share tips and techniques for getting through it all. Sarb is the man James trusts with his questions and today is no different.

Except, of course, that it is. It’s hard for many New Zealanders to think about a ‘safe space’ this past week.

So this episode is for everyone affected by the Christchurch mosque attacks on Friday 15 March and who doesn’t know what to do with their grief and shock. Who feel powerless. Who need someone to talk to.

A podcast episode alone won’t do it, so as we always do, we’ve included a list of places where you can get help at the bottom of this page as well as where you can help the victims and their families.

Because as Dr Johal says, we can make the world a different place and reduce the chance of anything like this ever happening again, by being together, sharing our mourning together, eating together and talking about how we feel.

Because it’s good to talk.

Kia kaha, kia kotahi ra. As salaam alaikum.

Our strength is our unity. Peace be unto you.

From the Eating Fried Chicken in the Shower team: James Nokise, Sarb Johal, Charlie Bleakley and Justin Gregory.

Essential contacts

Victim Support has set up a Givealittle page for victims and their families following the attack. By 9am today it had raised almost $7.8 million.

Those who have a missing family member are urged to go to the Restoring Family Links (RFL) website, where they can register missing persons or register themselves as alive.

Missing persons can also be registered on 0800 115 019. A member of the police will be in contact thereafter.

Police launched a Tell Police form on their website for anyone who wants to give them information on the attacks.

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz