This year's Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) focuses on the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an important reminder that we all go through ups and downs in life and that’s okay.There are simple things we can all do to help us cope when things feel tough. Introduce the Five Ways for the Five Days into your life to feel the benefits they can bring. Whakatōkia ngā rautaki māmā nei ki tō ao kia rongo ai koe i ngā painga.

Real life stories

“We give every day because it's the right thing to do, but because it feels good, too. Giving back to others is super addictive and the more you do, the more positive outcomes you see, the more you want to do it!”

Sarah Page, the founder of The Kindness Collective, talks about about the power of giving and how she's used kindness to build a dynamic and flourishing organisation that has since won Community of the Year for New Zealander of the Year 2023. Read her full story here. 

Daily themes:

Take Notice | Me Aro Tonu – Monday
Take Notice refers to the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as open and receptive attention to, and awareness of, what is occurring in the present moment.

Give | Tukua – Tuesday
Give refers to actions based on kindness, altruism, or generosity. Carrying out acts of kindness boosts our happiness, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.

Be Active | Me Kori Tonu – Wednesday
Widely recognised as being crucial for physical health and fitness, being active is also a powerful mood booster. Being active can not only make us feel good, it also enhances our thinking and learning abilities.

Connect | Me Whakawhanaunga – Thursday
Connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel seen, heard, and understood. When we nurture meaningful connections with others, we fuel our own happiness.

Keep Learning | Me Ako Tonu – Friday
Keep Learning refers to ‘exercising our mind’ – almost like taking our brain to the gym. Any activity that challenges our thinking and expands our consciousness improves our ability to think.

Have a look at the Mental Health Foundations favourite wellbeing boosters to use over the rest of 2023 and beyond (we have attached some of these below):

• The MHAW Guide has activity ideas that can be used all year round and there’s also an action plan and a handy section about how to have a safe and supportive kōrero with someone who’s struggling.
• The mindful colouring template can be used if you’re looking for a calming activity. 
• A popular Workplace Kōrero Card Set is available to download in printable and slideshow versions. Use it in your next vestry or Board meeting or other group to build stronger connections with the people around you.

• MHAW PowerPoint Quiz - Looking for an engaging way to introduce the Five Ways to Wellbeing to your hoamahi (colleagues)? Download our interactive Five Ways PowerPoint quiz! It's a fantastic tool to make MHAW come alive in our organisation.

• We've also attached below a customised Mental Health Awareness Week poster from the Disability Ministry Educators that you can print and put up in your church. 

Follow the Mental Health Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to see the latest wellbeing updates. 

Need to talk to someone? Call or Text  1737

For a list of Counsellors and support agencies ring 0800 367 222 or search at www.cab.org.nz

Emergency Mental Health Service support is also available at 0800 467 846: Press 1 for Southland and 2 for Otago Services.

Youthline: 0800 376 633

Don't forget you - or others you may be talking to - can also talk to your GP or a trusted person such as a Parish Priest.

Most of all - never underestimate the importance all of us play in asking after each other, taking time to listen, love and pray for those around us.