Psy-Care is a collective of passionate volunteers focused on harm reduction, drug education, and consent culture. They have been attending festivals around Aotearoa since 2015 providing a space for people in need of care, and have grown into an integral part of event production and safety in the area.

The basics of what they do is rooted in the ethos of holding space for those going through a difficult experience with a non-judgemental, compassionate approach, implementing practical methods to aid people in vulnerable situations or states.

Psy-Care aim to create a space that is inclusive of all. Their volunteers have a broad range of experience, education and training including LGBTQI areas, abuse and trauma realms, mental illness/mental health, addiction, psychopharmacology and much, much more.

Another one of their primary goals is to promote community connection and communication around difficult subjects, Psy-Care is particularly passionate about discussion around consent culture and examining societal mentalities around sexual abuse as this was part of the core reason for their establishment within New Zealand.

The ethos generally found in a care service space at events and festivals can often be traced back to the MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) Manual of Psychedelic Support. This almanac was originally catalysed from Kosmicare, the harm reduction initiative of Boom in Portugal and the Green Dot Rangers of Burning Man. Additionally there was input from scholars, researchers, therapists, psychonauts and others with a passion for this field. This book is a valuable tool for anyone wishing to understand the importance of a care service and the basis of Psy-Care's operation to greater depths.

To find out more about Psy-Care and what they do you can look at their facebook page: PsycareNZ

Alternatively send them an email: psycarenz@gmail.com

Psy-Care are a fantastic independent team who are funded by Twisted Frequency to help us provide a safe festival environment :)

You can find Psy-Care at the festival in the market zone, right next to the Medic tent.