A phenomenal amount of activity occurred across the Midland Region to mark the 2010 Mental Health Awareness week events. Midland committees were very busy to ensure that the week was packed with events that supported this years theme:
"Flourishing for everyBODY - feel good and function well"
Lakes
Congratulations to all involved in promoting Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday Monday 4 -10 October, 2010). Lakes DHB has had a great programme and we will profile some of the Awareness Week activities over the next few copies of the Lakes DHB Mental Health and Addictions newsletters.
On Thursday of Mental Health Awareness Week, Chief Executive Cathy Cooney and members of our regional mental health team attended the book signing at Te Whare Hauora O Ngongotaha where people told their stories. This was a moving experience and the team reported it was a privilege to be part of this.
The team also attended the events at the City Focus organised by Ngati Pikiao and supported by Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust, Mana Mental Health Services and Waiariki Institute of Technology.
There were a number of guest speakers who spoke about their experience of mental illness and wellness, and bullying and how it can impact on the mental health of tamariki. A very thoughtprovoking sociogram skit was presented by Gavin Pike. Spectators and presenters took part in an enjoyable group Zumba session (Zumba is a dance/fitness programme).
Flourishing, feeling good and functioning well have been the themes of Mental Health Awareness Week. The aim is to promote good mental health and help counter the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. In the last few years we have seen significant progress as we have moved away from services that are clinician focused to a client-focused and recovery-focused service. We have seen an increase in support for the principles of recovery and social inclusion.
It has been interesting to hear that service users overwhelmingly support the development of alternatives to acuteinpatient services, thereby avoiding the trauma so often associated with admission. We have seen greater acknowledgment of the NGO sector of their role in the provision of ongoing flexible wraparound services for people based on individual need. It has been great to see these changes and my special thanks go to the tangata whaiora whose resilience, perseverance, commitment and determination to see change for the better have made this progress possible.
Mary Smith, GM Planning and Funding, Lakes DHB
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Healthy Communities – Mauriora!
Line Dancing is the City Focus
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Zumba in the Sqaure.....Go Midland YAY!!!
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Pacific items in the City Focus
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Mental Health and Addictions stalls in the City Focus
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Book launch and signing of “Journeys and Memoirs”, A Collection of Life Stories and Memoris of
Students from Te Whare Hauora o Ngongotaha.
Jackie Evans is shown at left with Lakes DHB CE CathyCooney.
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Cathy Cooney, CE Lakes DHB and Bella Moke Respect Award recipient Angie Tipu
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Respect Awards recipients pictured with Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters included, L-R:
- Local bus driver Gary;
- Ange Tipu (Ngati Pikiao Health Services) who received the Rewa Paku Award;
- Gavin Wallace (Whare Whakaue Inpatient Unit, Rotorua Hospital),
- Wanda Patterson (mental health support worker for Healthcare New Zealand) and ,
- Ian Edward, local pharmacist.
Waikato
Tauramanui Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week
Photos profile some of the events occuring in the Waikato during the week lead by a very dedicated organising committee from Progress to Health. The Award given out at the Quiz Night is the Mahinarangi Tocker award in rememberance of her and all the good work she has done in Mental Health. The organising committee (Katarina Hohepa) thought this would be a nice overall prize, to give to the overall winner of the Quiz evening in Taumarunui, the overall prize winner this year was the Reap Centre and last years winner was Balance Accountacy Firm. Awesome trophy!!
Waikato Progress to Health Organising Committee Taumaranui Quiz Night Team
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TaumaranuiQuiz Night Winner Taumaranuii Quiz Night
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Waikato DHB Celebrate Mental Health Awareness week
While many other causes have flowers, themes or colours to raise awareness in the public, Mental Health does not.
Over two years ago an initiative from the Mental Health and Addictions Consumer Advisory Service decided it was time Mental Health Awareness Week was celebrated by Waikato DHB. After great discussion the theme emerged to wear yellow 'the colour of hope' on Mental Health Awareness Day to show our dedication to making Mental Health something to be talked about in a positive light.
Now in 2010 the wider mental health sector including non-government groups have joined us by wearing yellow.
Did you know that 1 in 5 New Zealander's will experience some form of mental illness at some time within their lives?
That could be you or someone you know - we all have the same amount of risk. As many mental health promotions say 'don't judge me before you know me' we set this as the task not just for today but as something to live by. How you react and respond does make a difference.
We would like to thank all staff and teams across the service for doing their part to raise awareness of mental health in their communities.
Kelly Ware, Senior Consumer Relationship Advisor
Tairawhiti
Bay of Plenty