Mental Health Awareness Week

Post date: Sept 27, 2021 3:00 PM

It's mental health awareness week this week starting today.

Theme this Year

Take time to kōrero/mā te kōrero, ka ora - a little chat can go a long way.

The Mental Health Foundation says:

”This MHAW is all about connecting with the people in our lives and creating space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Whether it’s checking in with a mate, having a kōrero over some kai or saying hello to a stranger, a little chat can go a long way.

We’ve chosen this theme because the little, everyday conversations we have are surprisingly important – and they make a big difference to our mental health – so we want you to take notice of the kōrero that makes you feel good and do it more often. Over time, these small chats create meaningful connections, help us understand each other better and ensure we have people we can count on when times are tough..”

Difficult Year

No doubt, it's been a tough 18 months, so it’s a great time to take stock and think about taking care of ourselves, and reaching out to others.

Our lives have changed, with our routines and connections disrupted, and various forms of lockdown and social distancing sometimes making us feel isolated. There has been a lot to adapt to.

Resources

There are great resources at the Mental Health Awareness Week Website, and at the Mental Health Foundation Website.

Wellness Frameworks

If you haven’t before, try exploring a wellness model or framework, and consider if this might help you support your own or others’ mental health.

• One framework I personally find very inspirational is the:

Wellbeing Framework at the Harvard University Health Services Centre for Wellness and Health promotion:

• Another offered at the Mental Health Awareness Week website is:

Five Ways to Wellbeing

• And another is

SIR MASON DURIE’S TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ

Crisis

Remember if you are experiencing depression or other mental health issues there’s help out there for you. Here is a link with guidance to get help from the Mental Health Foundation. Reach out to your doctor, friends, family or neighbours.