The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), which begins on Monday September 21 will be Reimagine Wellbeing Together – He Tirohanga Anamata. It encourages New Zealanders to reflect on the big and small actions they’ve taken to take care of each other this year, and to look at wellbeing through a new lens.
“Mental Health Awareness Week is a timely reminder of how important it is to embrace the simple things we can do each day to really help strengthen our wellbeing – that’s what will help us during the tough times,” noted MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson.
Across Aotearoa, almost 10,000 workplaces, communities, whānau, schools and kura will be celebrating the taonga/treasure that is our mental health. Each day of MHAW has a theme inspired by Te Whare Tapa Whā, a model developed by Māori health advocate and MHF patron Sir Mason Durie.
The daily MHAW themes are:
- Monday 21 September: Whānau: Recharge with others / Whiria te muka tangata
- Tuesday 22 September: Wairua: Rediscover everyday wonder / Whāia ngā mīharotanga o ia rā
- Wednesday 23 September: Whenua: Return to nature / Hono ki te taiao
- Thursday 24 September: Tinana: Refuel your body / Whakamarohi tō tinana
- Friday 25 September: Hinengaro: Refresh your mind / Whāngaia tō hinengaro
These themes will be used as part of the popular wellbeing photo challenge which runs from 21-25 September. New Zealanders are encouraged to take photos related to the theme to show what wellbeing looks like to them.
Visit mhaw.nz for ideas on how you can get involved in the week at your workplace, school or kura, whānau or community.
