Rate My Professor Carina Perner

Perner actively engages the university community through educational seminars and public events focused on mental health, family dynamics, and child development. She presented at the Department of Medicine Seminar Series, where she was introduced as the Occupational Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor and an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa Instructor. Additionally, she is the designated contact for numerous university-hosted events, including 'Empowering children: Developing healthy self-esteem,' 'Personal Best Parenting: What good parenting is about,' 'Teenagers: Understanding the teen brain. Making sense of their emotions and behaviours,' 'Helping children manage their emotions toddler to teen,' and 'Managing kids' screen time: Strategies for safe technology use.' These sessions provide practical insights for parents, caregivers, and staff on fostering emotional resilience and healthy behaviours. During the COVID-19 period, Perner highlighted the need for mental health support even among those without prior experiences, reinforcing the university's commitment to staff resilience. She is recommended in departmental communications, such as from the Department of Psychology, as a primary support resource. Furthermore, Perner participates in the Sensitive Case Management team, aiding in complex occupational health scenarios. Recognized as a Registered Occupational Therapist (NZROT) in university documentation, her expertise underpins her advisory contributions in the Health Sciences context at Otago.