Most people want to help when they sense someone is struggling. The problem isn't willingness, it's knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it without making things worse.
ER gives people the tools to respond early and well. Whether you're a leader, colleague, teacher, parent, or friend, this session closes the gap between noticing and acting.
Not about becoming a therapist. About becoming the kind of person who doesn't walk past.
- ✓ Spot the early signs of distress in someone else
- ✓ Start a conversation without saying the wrong thing
- ✓ Respond with calm, practical tools, not panic
- ✓ Support someone well without taking on their load
- ✓ Know when and how to refer someone to further support
- ✓ Look after your own wellbeing while caring for others
The Red Jelly Buddy is Julia's symbol for the Early Responder, the person in any group who notices when someone is wobbly and knows how to show up for them. Not a professional. Not perfect. Just present, prepared, and willing to help.
This session is for every Red Jelly Buddy in your organisation, your school, your community. The ones who already want to help, and just need to know how.
"Julia Grace truly has a gift to explain what could be a heavy topic in a way that is understandable, relatable and real."
Teams, leaders, managers, HR, People and Culture. Volunteer groups. High-demand, high-output environments.
Staff PD days, staff meetings, school leadership teams, teaching staff, school communities.
Community events, leadership offsites, strategy days, wellbeing conferences.
Parents, friends, carers, anyone who regularly shows up for others and wants to do it well.
- Interactive workshop or keynote format
- Engaging, practical, and solution-focused
- Tailored to your event and audience
- ER pairs naturally with Working Well
- Book both for a full-day wellbeing programme
- Seamless narrative across both sessions
- In-person across New Zealand and internationally
- Online delivery available on request
I began sharing my own mental health story publicly in 2015. What followed changed everything, the conversations, the people who reached out, the realisation that what felt deeply private was actually incredibly common.
Early Responders exists because the moment someone notices and acts is often the moment everything changes. You don't need to be a professional. You just need to know how to show up. I'd love to help your team do that.
Julia Grace
"Julia Grace truly has a gift to explain what could be a heavy topic in a way that is understandable, relatable and real."
"When I saw the speaker was on for 90 mins I thought, oh no. But when she finished I thought she could have gone for way longer. I loved every minute."
Early Responders is a powerful first step. For teams wanting internationally accredited mental health training, Julia is also a certified MHFA instructor. Find out more about MHFA.
Bring Early Responders to your team
Available across New Zealand and internationally, in keynote or workshop format. Can be combined with Working Well for a full-day programme.
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