Getting Through Together Digest: 23rd September 2020
Kia ora. We've got a pretty special (and bumper) edition this week because it is Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2020!
This year hasn’t been easy. Many of us have had to reconsider the experiences, actions and surroundings that make us feel good, stay well, and uplift our wellbeing. MHAW is a chance to build on the simple things we’ve been doing to look after ourselves, and to reimagine what wellbeing looks like – together.
Whether you're looking for new ways to refuel and recharge, or you have wellbeing tools in your kete/basket to share, we hope you’ll join us this Mental Health Awareness Week to Reimagine Wellbeing Together: He Tirohanga Anamata.
Today’s theme for MHAW is Whenua: Return to nature – Hono ki te taiao. Whenua is our connection to the land. It’s a place of belonging and it’s comforting that it is never too far away. Can you return to nature today?
Mental health and wellbeing is a taonga/ treasure, something to look after so we can live fulfilling lives. As you'll read in this issue, there are some wonderful people and organisations doing great things to uplift those around them.
Arohanui,
All Right? and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Kimberley Crossman on reimagining wellbeing in 2020
Actress Kimberley Crossman, says her version of reimagining wellbeing has been learning to be gentler with herself in the face of a global pandemic and the constant uncertainty that comes with that.
“It’s about learning to cut myself some slack – and learning that there is a huge elephant in the room that I can’t control,” she says of COVID-19.
Read more on why Kim's diagnosis of burnout and depression in 2019 came as a relief – and helped provide her with the tools she needed to start getting herself mentally healthy.
Mental Health Awareness Week Wellbeing Photo Challenge
Taking part in the Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) Wellbeing Photo Challenge is easy – simply upload a photo to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account relevant to the day’s theme using the hashtag #MHAWNZ. Make sure your profile is public so we can see it.
There are prizes up for grabs from our friends at:
We're loving seeing all your photos!
Putting a spring into the step of every staff member
Helping staff to spring into spring is Lane Neave’s mission this Mental Health Awareness Week.
Timed to complement MHAW 2020, law firm Lane Neave launched its Spring into Spring campaign on Monday to encourage staff to prioritise their wellbeing.
The law firm has offices in Queenstown, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, and is offering two weeks of events targeting wellbeing, as part of the initiative.
Over the coming days, there will be seminars on sleep, boot camps, office breakfasts and even a ‘bring your dog to work’ day. All the events can be found in individual passports which have been distributed among staff.
People and Capability Manager Mark Lewis says the initiative is an easy thing Lane Neave can do to take care of its people, and encourage the day-to-day habits that help us all to refuel, recharge, and be ready for whatever the future holds.
“This year has been challenging for our staff – as it has been for everyone in New Zealand. While we can’t control what happens outside of work, we can create a really supportive environment for them to work in and make it easier to do the things that make us feel good."
Read more about how the team at Lane Neave are getting involved in this year's MHAW2020.
A fun activity for the school holidays
Our friends at Sparklers have come up with this epic Tuputupu workbook, which highlights all the wellbeing benefits that come from the simple act of planting, nurturing and sharing kumara, all whilst learning more about te Reo Māori. It’s a super awesome way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness week with kids!
The workbook weaves in Te Whare Tapa Whā - a model designed by leading Māori Health Advocate Sir Mason Durie, and which also underpins this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.
Check out the Tuputupu workbook from Sparklers.
Monty Collins: His story
The wonderful Mapu Maia have shared a powerful video from artist and designer Monty.
Watch Monty Collins discuss his story (Facebook). Please be aware this video discusses suicide and could be distressing for some people.
Find out more abut Monty's business - SDO custom design & apparel.
Learning to love every component of herself
As a lived experience facilitator and trained social worker, Hannah Whittaker-Komatsu knows what living with mental distress can be like from both a personal and professional perspective. She first encountered the mental health system when she was eight years old after disclosing sexual abuse and has lived with a range of diagnoses ever since.
Hannah’s life work for the past 20 years has been turning her experience of mental distress into something that no longer defines her. She is now passionate about passing on the message that living with mental distress can be something to work with, rather than work against.
“I’ve had to experience what it’s like to live within that continuum of wellbeing,” she says. “To get to a place of understanding that my experiences, which are called ‘disorders and illnesses’, are actually part of who I am. I’ve had to learn to love those components of myself, because they are the things that allow me to be alive, to be creative and to survive the first 21 years of my life.”
Find out more about how Hannah's shift in thinking has helped her become the person she is today.
Not all right?
We all need a bit of support from time to time. There are free help and support services available if you or someone you know is struggling right now.
Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor anytime - it’s free and completely confidential. You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543354 or text HELP to 4357.
Check out the Mental Health Foundation’s website for further advice on how to stay mentally well during this time.
Until next time, stay well Aotearoa.
And remember, we'll get through this - together.
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