The Science of Healing: Somatic Compassion

This Mental Health Week, we’re proud to introduce a powerful new way forward for mental health in Aotearoa. Somatic Compassion is a groundbreaking, science-based approach to healing trauma — safely and gently, through the body as well as the mind.

For too long, mental health care has focused only on talking about what’s wrong. Somatic Compassion invites us to feel and release what’s held inside — reconnecting body, mind, and heart to restore genuine wellbeing.

About the Film

Somatic Compassion: The Science of Healing is a short documentary produced by Kiwis For Good in collaboration with Dr Robin Youngson, an anaesthetist, trauma specialist, and international pioneer in compassionate, body-based healing.

The film explores a profound shift in how we understand and treat trauma — moving beyond medication and talk therapy, toward therapies that integrate body awareness, neuroscience, and compassion. Through real stories and expert insight, it reveals how trauma is stored in the body, and how releasing it safely can lead to lasting change.

In a world where one in five New Zealanders struggle with mental distress, Somatic Compassion offers a message of hope and scientific integrity — bridging the gap between emotion and biology, and reminding us that true healing begins with compassion.

This project is part of Kiwis For Good’s mission to challenge outdated systems, share evidence-based solutions, and promote approaches that empower people to heal — not just cope.

Join the Movement

Watch the film, share it with others, or host a community screening in your hometown. Together, we can reshape the future of mental health in Aotearoa.