Donate
Miracle in Raglan: A New Hope for Mental Health in New Zealand

Miracle in Raglan: A New Hope for Mental Health in New Zealand

Social IssuesCulture Jun 15, 2025 • Tim Baker

A Note Before You Watch: Miracle in Raglan is a story-driven documentary sharing personal experiences of trauma recovery through human connection and gentle techniques. These are real people’s journeys — sometimes profound and life-changing — but individual results vary and nothing in this film should be taken as a guarantee.

This is not medical advice. The film explores one perspective on trauma and mental health and does not replace professional care. We encourage viewers to consult a qualified doctor, psychologist, or mental health professional before making any decisions about their own treatment or support.

If you are in distress or considering changes to your current care, please seek personalised guidance from a health professional you trust.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, visit our Need Help? page or contact Lifeline (0800 543 354), Youthline (0800 376 633), or your local health provider.

Discovering a Different Approach

When we first connected with Dr Robin Youngson, it felt like meeting someone deeply committed to compassionate care. A former anaesthetist and passionate advocate, Dr Youngson has spent years exploring how human connection and simple, body-based techniques can support emotional healing.

The result is Miracle in Raglan, a short documentary featuring Dr Youngson and several New Zealanders who share how his work has profoundly impacted their lives. It is built around authentic personal stories rather than clinical claims

New Zealand’s Mental Health Challenge

New Zealand faces a serious and ongoing mental health crisis, with high youth suicide rates and widespread use of antidepressant medication. While the current system relies heavily on pharmaceutical approaches, there is growing interest in trauma-informed, connection-based alternatives. This documentary offers one perspective in that important conversation.

Personal Stories of Hope

Through the voices of ordinary Kiwis who have worked with Dr Youngson, the film explores how focusing on safety, trust, and gentle techniques can sometimes open powerful new pathways for recovery. These are hopeful, human stories of change and resilience.

Why Watch Miracle in Raglan?

This film may help you:

  • Feel less alone in your struggles
  • Understand trauma from a different angle
  • See the healing potential of genuine human connection
  • Feel inspired to support better, more compassionate mental health options in New Zealand

We hope it sparks thoughtful discussion and greater compassion for those who are suffering.

An Exposé: Study 329, Antidepressants, and New Zealand’s Youth Suicide Crisis Social IssuesTechnology An Exposé: Study 329, Antidepressants, and New Zealand’s Youth Suicide Crisis The alarming prevalence of antidepressant use among New Zealand’s youth demands urgent scrutiny. According to Ministry of Health data obtained by Kiwis For Good, in 2021, over 10,000 prescriptions for the antidepressant paroxetine were written for individuals under 30, including 1,330 for those under 19. These figures are particularly concerning given the dark history of paroxetine, a drug at the centre of one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most notorious scandals: Study 329. Read The Micronutrient Revolution: How Professor Julia Rucklidge is Changing Mental Health Treatment Social Issues The Micronutrient Revolution: How Professor Julia Rucklidge is Changing Mental Health Treatment Professor Julia Rucklidge at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand is no ordinary clinical psychologist. For over a decade, her research into the effects of micronutrients on mental health has challenged mainstream approaches, which often prioritise pharmaceutical treatments over nutritional interventions. Her work has not only caught the attention of her peers but has also fuelled a worldwide debate about how we understand, treat, and prevent mental health disorders. Read Christmas is here, and all that it brings Social IssuesCulture Christmas is here, and all that it brings You are probably sat reading this with a glass of bubbles in hand and loved ones dotted around busily opening presents or firing up the BBQ, the cat may have torn down the Christmas tree and batted the baubles across the living room floor... Read My Recovery from Abuse - Jessica Emily Social IssuesCulture My Recovery from Abuse - Jessica Emily Kiwis For Good are proud to introduce Jessica Emily. Jessica has been featured in Woman’s Day and various other publications sharing her journey. She is a leading Empowerment/Mental health Coach, public speaker and recovery enthusiast. Read Oh, Sweet Life! By Cate Eaton Social Issues Oh, Sweet Life! By Cate Eaton I was five years old when I found my father dead. That traumatic event set the scene for all the struggles in my life that followed me. Haunted me. My life was shaped by this experience. Read Fragmented Mental Health Services Failing New Zealand’s Youth: Auditor-General's Report Urges Urgent Reform PoliticsSocial IssuesCulture Fragmented Mental Health Services Failing New Zealand’s Youth: Auditor-General's Report Urges Urgent Reform A recent report from the Auditor-General reveals alarming shortcomings in New Zealand’s mental health services for young people. The report paints a concerning picture of a fragmented system that struggles to meet the growing mental health needs of the nation's youth. Read
Help Us Help Others!

Your donations are incredibly important for us, and enable us to use our initiatives to help our fellow Kiwis.

Donate today
Join Our Newsletter

For the latest news and projects, keep up-to-date with our newsletter. We promise not to spam you; we get enough of that ourselves!