Innovate Napier - Mates4Life, Tyson Ataera

People often move up into management or leadership positions because they're good at what they do. They solve problems, deliver reliably, and can be counted on to make decisions and take responsibility when something needs sorting out.

And along the way most managers will get a raft of training to do the job well - how to manage performance, navigate risk, lead change, compliance, or even how to get the best from your team. But there's one situation very few managers are trained for: what do you do when one of the people you manage isn't okay?

Mental health challenges are incredibly common, but unlike many physical health problems, they're not always easy to see. People don't necessarily tell their manager they're struggling. They may keep turning up, doing their job and appearing fine, which means the first signs that something is wrong can be small and easily overlooked.

Perhaps they're quieter than usual, their behaviour has changed, or something simply doesn't feel quite right. But if no one's ever taught you what to look for, or what to do, how do you know what to do next?

The good news is that helping doesn't mean having all the answers.

In this practical Innovate Napier session, Mates4Life General Manager and 2026 Tower Local Hero Tyson Ataera will share what six years of suicide prevention work in Hawke's Bay has taught us about recognising when someone may need support and responding when they do.

You'll learn how to:

notice changes in others that can be easy to overlook
start a conversation when you're concerned about someone
resist the natural leadership instinct to immediately solve the problem, and learn what to do instead
recognise the limits of your role and when someone else may be better placed to help
actively create a workplace where people know it's safe to say if they're struggling
remember to notice when the person who needs some support is you

Held during Mental Health Awareness Week and on Mates4Life's sixth birthday (there will be cake), this session will give you practical skills you can use immediately with the people you lead, and take home to your friends, teammates and whānau. And in true Mates4Life style, while the subject can be a tough one, there'll still be plenty of laughs and a few good stories along the way. Most importantly, you'll leave feeling more confident, more prepared and empowered to make a difference when it matters.

$2 from every ticket sale will be donated to Mates4Life