MIL OSI – Source: Mental Health Foundation – Press Release/Statement
Headline: Cantabrians tired but see lots of opportunities ahead, research says
June
Cantabrians tired but see lots of opportunities ahead, research says
New research conducted by the All Right? campaign in 2014 shows that post-earthquake Cantabrians are tired and grieving for what has been lost, but still see lots of opportunities for the future.
82% of survey respondents had a better sense of what is important to them since the earthquakes, and 4 out of 5 Cantabrians feel they value other people more than they did before the quakes.
However, there was a 10% increase in the number of people who felt tired since the last survey in 2012, and less than half (48%) reported regularly sleeping well. 1 in 4 Cantabrians reported feeling overwhelmed, and nearly half (47%) worried about experiencing another earthquake. 35% of respondents have more health issues since the earthquakes.
There was also a significant difference between respondents who had had their EQC/insurance property claims settled, compared with those whose claims had not. Respondents whose claims had been settled felt more in control of their lives, more energetic, less tired and stressed, and less insecure. Those still waiting for the EQC or their insurance company to settle their claims were more likely to feel angry and as though life was full of uncertainty.
Cantabrians have lived through over 14,000 earthquakes in the last four years, and the All Right? campaign, lead by the CDHB and the Mental Health Foundation, continues to work to ensure Cantabrians can look after their own mental health and wellbeing during the recovery, even when facing things that are beyond their control.
See the full results of the research on the All Right website or check out the highlights with this infographic.
Early-bird special for wellbeing conference
Would you like to learn, network, be engaged, and get motivated? It’s not too late to sign up for the ninth annual Mind & Its Potential conference in Australia!
This year’s event is being held on 27-28 October at The Concourse in Chatswood, Sydney. Those attending can find out about the latest science of neuroplasticity and discover how individuals, organisations and businesses can do extraordinary things to improve their wellbeing and productivity.
Keynote speakers include Professor Michael Merzenich from the USA, who is the world’s foremost expert on the science of brain training; Dr Linda Carlson, a pioneering Canadian psycho-oncology researcher and expert on mindfulness as a health intervention; and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo from India, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years meditating in the Himalayas.
A number of organisations are endorsing the Mind & Its Potential conference, including the Mental Health Foundation (MHF). Friends and supporters of the MHF are entitled to a special early-bird discount on conference tickets if they order before 27 June. Participants can save $380 off the full two-day course and $640 off the full four-day gold pass fee, including workshops.
For more information and to order tickets, visit the conference website and type in MHFNZ to get the special discount.
New resource: Tihei Mauri Ora: Supporting whānau through suicidal distress
Written with extensive consultation with Māori suicide prevention experts, whānau and communities, Tihei Mauri Ora: Supporting whānau through suicidal distress will help whānau and friends to support someone who is in distress or crisis. It features information about warning signs to look out for, how to handle a crisis and explores ways to support loved ones struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Theresa Reihana’s powerful paintings illuminate Tihei Mauri Ora. Her art captures the wairua of Māori, reflecting the strength of whānau and the value of whakapapa and human connection.
This resource is a valuable tool for whānau to help those who need it most. The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank and acknowledge all those who contributed to the development of Tihei Mauri Ora, in particular the contribution of project lead, Pania Lee (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngā Ruahinerangi).
There are many ways you can get a copy: the Tihei Mauri Ora PDF, or read the resource online on the SPINZ website. It is also available as an ePub to read on your mobile or tablet. As always, you can order free print copies of the resource from our shop.
13 year old Sarah Ridsdale wins our photo competition
In May, the Mental Health Foundation held a photo competition, asking Kiwis to send us photos depicting one or more of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
We received hundreds of stunning entries, and were inspired and amazed by all the different interpretations of the Five Ways.
The winning photo was this gorgeous shot by 13 year old Sarah Ridsdale. The budding photographer took this picture of her sister Nadia playing the guitar, taking notice of the daisies in the foreground.
The quality of the entries we received was wonderful – you can see some of our favourite photos on our Facebook page.
May
New Like Minds, Like Mine action plan
The Ministry of Health has just released the new Like Minds, Like Mine National Plan 2014-2019.
The plan sets the guiding principles for service delivery of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme for the next five years. It provides direction for the continuation of the journey towards greater social inclusion for people with mental illness in New Zealand.
Download it here: (PDF)
New resource on Bipolar Disorder available now
In response to frequent requests for information on Bipolar Affective Disorder, the Mental Health Foundation has developed a new brochure called Understanding Bipolar.
As well as general introductory information on bipolar, it also covers medication, talking therapies, self-management and how family and whanau can best support.
The brochure has been written by Registered Psychologist Janet Peters in consultation with those with bipolar experience and the NZ Bipolar Support and Depression Network. The Athena Trust kindly funded this work.
You can view it online or order hard copies through our Resource and Information Service.
Pink Shirt Day is tomorrow!
Bullying awareness campaign Pink Shirt Day is on Friday 23 May, and all around New Zealand people are gearing up to stand together and make this the best Pink Shirt Day yet!
We’ve heard from hundreds of businesses and schools who will be taking part, and have been amazed by the innovative and inspiring ways New Zealanders are addressing bullying in their communities.
Tyler Inglis, of Auckland’s Western Heights Primary School, is standing with his friends on Friday to talk to his school about Pink Shirt Day, raise money for the MHF, and celebrate the day with his peers. He’s a great example of the power
individuals have to push the PSD movement forward, and raise awareness about the role each of us plays in stopping bullying.
What are you doing for Pink Shirt Day? Register your event here. Send photos and videos of your PSD celebrations to communications “at” mentalhealth.org.nz, use the tag #PinkShirtDayNZ on social media, or upload them to our Facebook page, and you’ll go in the draw to win one of dozens of great prizes, including $50 Prezzy Cards, pink Maybelline makeup, DVDs and more!
April
Game-style tool to combat depression in youth
SPARX, an online game-style tool to help young people develop skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed has been launched this week. The self-help e-therapy tool teaches young people the key skills they need to help combat depression and anxiety, the Ministry of Health says. It was developed by a team of researchers from the University of Auckland, and has been made available for free online through the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.
SPARX uses proven cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques in a youth-friendly game format to teach young people how to cope with negative thoughts and feelings, and think in a more balanced way. As well as the SPARX e-therapy programme, the website also offers a mood quiz to help young people identify depression and information on where to get help. A partnership with Youthline and Lifeline has also been established to provide clinical back up support to SPARX users. The phone line 0508 4 SPARX is staffed by professional counsellors. Read more about SPARX on the SPINZ website.
SPARX is available at https://sparx.org.nz
Handy with a camera?
We’re looking for stunning and inspiring images for the Mental Health Foundation’s new website that describe the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Be Active.
These images could include someone reading a book, talking a walk, enjoying a sunset, learning a musical instrument or simply images of New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes, flora and fauna.
Have a go at taking some photos or have a look through your Facebook or Instagram accounts and see what you think might fit the bill.
Email a photo you have taken and your details to: communications “at” mentalhealth.org.nz to go in the draw to win a $100 Prezzy Card and have your photo displayed on our new website.
For some photo ideas, check out the Five Ways to Wellbeing pages.
Entries close Friday 16 May.
Update on Words Hurt competition
The following resources are now available to support participants in the Mental Health Foundation’s secondary schools competition, Words Hurt.
Formative Exercise Unit Plan (for teachers)
Information for participants
Poster A4 as JPG and PDF
Poster A3 as JPG and PDF
Promotional e-banner
Secondary schools throughout New Zealand have already taken up the challenge and will produce a video for the competition.
The video brief is to create a video that encourages young people to stop and think when they hear or use words like “nutjob”, “retard”, “schizo”, or “mental”, and reflect on language that is stigmatising or discriminatory.
The competition is open to all secondary school students, but could be the product of a formative exercise for media production standards 2.6 and 3.6, for which we have provided a teaching unit plan. The project must be submitted by 20 June 2014.
Please email Ivan Yeo if you require any further information, or phone Ivan on 027 280 8972.
Donate to Pink Shirt Day 23 May 2014 and enter prize draw
Take a picture of your staff or friends wearing pink shirts on Pink Shirt Day, 23 May, and post it on our Facebook or Twitter pages. Then if you make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation before Friday 30 May you will go in the drawer to win one of 20 Aromatherapy Company prize packs worth $100 each.
March
Entertainment Book goes mobile – put your preorder in today!
The time has come to place pre-orders for 2014-2015 Entertainment Books – if you book online before 1 April you will receive over $205 in bonus offers that you can start using straight away.
In an exciting development, this year the Entertainment Book is also available as a mobile phone app, so you won’t have that pesky “Oh no! I left the Entertainment Book in the drawer at home” problem.
If you need to talk to someone about preordering a book, please contact Keshlar on (09) 623 4810. By purchasing the 2014-2015 Entertainment Book through us you are supporting the work of the Mental Health Foundation. A big thank you for that!
Blokes needed for wellbeing study
The Mental Health Foundation is running a research project, with funding from the Movember Foundation, looking at how men access and use information to support themselves through stressful life events.
Our project will look at the type of information men currently use and the support they need during stressful times. It will also find out how information and support can be delivered better and be more appealing to men.
We are asking men to complete an anonymous online wellbeing survey and/or take part in focus groups next month. The groups will give men the opportunity to share their thoughts with other men and the researchers.
Once the research is complete, we will share our findings with other agencies so they can target their information and support more effectively. Please help support our work by taking the survey, or encouraging other men to complete the survey or join a focus group.
For more information, email Hugh Norriss at the Mental Health Foundation, or our researcher Dr Peta Wellstead
February
Concerns over reporting about Charlotte Dawson
The Mental Health Foundation is deeply disappointed by some of the coverage of Charlotte Dawson’s tragic death, and we know many of you share our concerns. We are reaching out to all NZ media to remind them that, while international suicides are not covered by the Coroners Act, safer reporting guidelines exist to protect members of the public, regardless of where the death occurred.
The speculation as to the cause of Ms Dawson’s death is both distasteful and irresponsible. These attempts to distil Ms Dawson’s life and death into a single plotline do a disservice to Ms Dawson, her family, and vulnerable members of the public.
Now is the time to remember to be kind to each other, to look out for those who might be struggling, and to ask for help if you need it. Many, many people care very deeply about the experiences of people who are in distress, and want to help.
Worried about yourself or someone else?
If it’s an emergency, call 111. A good first port of call is your GP, or phone a helpline such as Lifeline 0800 543 354 or the Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865.
More information is available on the Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ) website, including:
Are you a teacher? Do you know a teacher?
The Mental Health Foundation has designed a competition for secondary school students to create a video that encourages young people to stop and think when they hear or use words like “nutjob”, “retard”, “schizo”, or “mental”, and reflect on language that is stigmatising or discriminatory.
Through consultation with young people, we have learned that young people are overwhelmingly in favour of a campaign that discourages the use of cruel and hurtful words associated with mental distress, and they want a YouTube video that communicates directly with them to inspire behaviour change.
Who better to create this campaign than young people themselves?
The competition is open to all secondary school students, but could be the product of a formative exercise for media production standards 2.6 and 3.6, for which we will provide a teaching unit plan. The project must be submitted by 20 June 2014.
Our objectives are:
- to provide students with useful insights into social marketing that encourages positive behavioural change;
- to support students to develop their own ideas to help curtail bullying,
- and to participate in mental health promotion;to generate a high-quality resource we can use in a viral marketing campaign.
Brief for the video:
- it will be youth-friendly and accessible;
- it will help to change people’s attitudes
- it will provide tools and skills to challenge inappropriate and demeaning language.
The Mental Health Foundation is seeking expressions of interest from teachers for this project.
Please contact:
Ivan Yeo
Ivan “at” mentalhealth.org.nz or 027 280 8972
Our Auckland office has moved
Our Auckland office has relocated to Edwin Street in Mt Eden.
Our new address is:
Units 109-110, Zone 23
23 Edwin Street
Mt Eden 1024
Our new telephone numbers are:
09 623 4810 (Main reception)
09 623 4812 (Resource and information service/Library)
Our postal address remains the same.
The library is closed while we unpack; full library services will resume on Monday 17 February.
January
We are moving to new premises
Our Auckland office is relocating to new premises during the two weeks from 3-14 February.
Our lending library is now closed in preparation for the move.
Our new premises are at Units 109-110, Zone 23, 23 Edwin St, Mt Eden. Our last day at our current location will be Wednesday 5th February; full library services will be available at the new site from Monday 17th February.
If you have any questions about the move, please call us on 09 623 4810 or email: resource “at” mentalhealth.org.nz
Chinese volunteers needed for Positive Energy project
Are you of Chinese descent and have personal experience of mental illness? The 2014 theme for Kai Xin Xing Dong (KXXD), the Chinese Like Minds, Like Mine programme, is self-stigma and the KXXD team is looking for seven people to talk about how their beliefs on mental illness have affected them.
The project’s title is Positive Energy because, by overcoming self-stigma, we gain positive energy. By telling the personal stories of Chinese people with lived experience of mental illness, we want to raise awareness of how negative beliefs can stop people from seeking help and treatment.
If you, or someone you know, would like to take part, email rebecca “at” mentalhealth.org.nz. For more information on KXXD, see the KXXD website.
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