Reconnect With The People And Places That Lift You Up This Mental Health Awareness Week – 26 September To 2 October 2022

There’s only one month until Mental
Health Awareness Week (26 September – 2 October 2022).
This MHAW, we’re asking New Zealanders to
‘Reconnect – with the people and places that
lift you up’. The past couple of years have been
tough on our wellbeing, and it’s been difficult to connect
with friends and whānau and the places that are important
to us. This year’s MHAW theme is about encouraging you to
engage with the people and places that bring you joy – hei
pikinga waiora.

Shaun Robinson, Mental Health
Foundation chief executive says: “We hope you’ll take
some time this MHAW to reconnect, whether it’s reaching
out to someone you’ve lost contact with, visiting a place
that’s special to you or getting outside in nature.
Reconnect with the people who lift you up and places that
are special to you and notice how this makes you
feel.”

To help you take part in MHAW, free resource
packs are now available to order
– but get in quick, almost 4,000 have already been sent out
(orders close 16 September). Each pack contains posters,
stickers, flyers and a kōrero card set to help you make the
most out of the week at work, school or home. We’ve gone
digital with our guide
this year – we encourage you to download it for daily
inspiration and activities to help bring MHAW to life. You
can also subscribe
to receive email updates to guide you in the lead up to and
through the week and help you plan your best MHAW
yet.

“Our mental health is a special taonga. One in
five New Zealanders experience a mental illness and/or
addiction each year and it’s important to remember that
with the right tautoko many people can and do recover”
Shaun Robinson says. “Wellbeing isn’t just for people
who have not experienced mental illness – it’s for
everyone. Think about how you and your community can engage
with this year’s theme and help to improve the wellbeing
of all New Zealanders.”

As with previous years there
are daily ‘reconnect’ activity ideas inspired by Te
Whare Tapa Whā and the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which are
simple strategies proven to boost wellbeing.
gracv

© Scoop Media