News
Celebrating youth and their families
Read the new blog from Grant Rix on Mindfulness
Webhealth Linkage
RETHiNK the Meaning of Madness
Johnny Matteson interviewed on radio about his life and music
Suicide Prevention in Pacific Communities
How does discrimination affect families?
Senior journalist Amanda Cropp announced as finalist in Qantas Media Awards 2010
Karaoke contest 2010 - "Get mad on the Mic!"
GO POTTY!
Exciting new publication guides older workers
Families love unconditionally but often first to discriminate
Reducing symptoms of depression among Mäori
Communicate with your young person
One in 10 new dads get 'baby blues'
Sunday lost to workday blues
How to stay happy this winter
Leave a comment
Celebrating youth and their families
For Youth Week 2010 the Mental Health Foundation and Hauora Hokianga organised a photo voice exhibition in Hokianga.
A photo voice exhibition gives a voice to those who often go unheard, through the medium of photography. Fifty young people in Hokianga were given disposable cameras to contribute to the exhibition.
Tina Helm, Youth Mental Health Promoter for the Foundation, says the aim of the exhibition is to contribute positively to young people's sense of self worth and identity. "They have an important contribution to make but they are often not given a voice. This is one way they can express themselves," she says.
Youth & Family
The theme of the Hokianga Community Photo Exhibition is in line with Youth Week's theme, Rangatahi ora: Whanau ora. The week challenged all family/whanau to strengthen their relationships with their youth/rangatahi.
Hayley Rauahi, from Hauora Hokianga, says the exhibition also aims "to connect young people with their family, because when young people are well, so are their family."
This is the second year that an exhibition has been run in Hokianga for Youth Week. Those contributing to it this year will take photos around family/whanau connection and will be given the opportunity to speak about their photographs.
One of the photos in the exhibition, by Vhayle Nikora.
Tina Helm says that giving young people a voice will create dialogue around community strengths and concerns, and will encourage exhibition attendees to reflect on the relationships they have with young people.
Youth Week also aims to highlight achievements of young people, who are classed as those aged 12 to 24. This year's theme is based on the whakatauki "He tina ki runga, he tamore ki raro. Contentment above, strongly rooted below." The theme and whakatauki are being used as the foundation for resources for the week.
"Local and national organisations are working together to celebrate young people: to celebrate them in the community and as part of the family," Tina explains.
Youth Week's theme was supported by the findings of the Youth 07 report, which surveyed 10,000 secondary school students. About 45 percent of those interviewed reported they wanted more time with their caregivers.
The exhibition is being held at Hokianga Art Gallery, Rawene and runs until 4 June.
The photos are being judged, with the winning photographer receiving a digital camera.
Webhealth Linkage
Some of you may have heard about Webhealth Linkage. Webhealth is an interactive online directory of Health and Social Services sponsored by our local DHBs. Access is free to both the community and the services who wish to register their details.
With a strong focus on mental health issues, Webhealth provides resources and links to that information for mental health consumers and mental health service providers alike.
The three main components of the Webhealth Website are:
- Find a Health and Social Service - search for Services in your local area that assist with issues that relate to Mental Health.
- Health and Wellbeing Resources - Useful tips, information pages and links to useful sites that relate to Mental Health.
- Community Notice board - Find local Mental Health community events, support groups, workshops, peer support networks and much more.
If you would like to register, please do so by visiting www.webhealth.co.nz, click into your nearest region, then click into the ‘Provider Registration/Login Area'. If you wish to receive further information on Webhealth or would like help registering your details, please phone us on: Free phone 0800 WEBHEALTH (0800) 932 432 or email: webhealth@webhealth.co.nz
RETHiNK the Meaning of Madness
Three recipients have been chosen for the annual $15,000 2010 RETHiNK Grants:
- In West Auckland, Titirangi Theatre in association with Dramatrain will host ‘The RETHiNK Theatre Challenge' during Mental Health Awareness Week in October.
- Joshua Gerbault of Te Karanga Gallery and K-FM on Karangahape Rd in the city is excited about coordinating the ‘RETHiNK Ethosphere' exhibition.
- The ‘RETHiNK What's On Your Plate' exhibition uses the classic Kiwiana tradition of bringing a plate to explore the idea of madness as a response to experience. This will be the third exhibition from the popular "Respond - Response" series coordinated by East Auckland artists Carolyn Milbank and Coleen Altagracia. More at http://www.rethinkgrant.co.nz/
Johnny Matteson interviewed on radio about his life and music
Listen to Mental Health Foundation staff member Johnny Matteson's fascinating and insightful interview about his experiences with mental illness and how his music evolved as a result. More at http://static.radionz.net.nz/assets/audio_item/0003/2298324/oif-20100523-1900-One_in_Five_for_Sunday_23_May_2010-m048.asx
Suicide Prevention in Pacific Communities
Watch SPINZ Director Merryn Statham interviewed on TV3's Pacific Beat Street, which screens Sundays at 11.35am. Merryn's interview starts at 9:40 on the video track.
How does discrimination affect families?
Are you passionate about fighting stigma & discrimination? The Mental Health Foundation and the Regional Consumer Network are hosting a free public forum on countering stigma & discrimination associated with mental illness.
Regional Consumer Network
When: Thursday 10 June 2010
10am-2.30pm (lunch included)
Where: Western Springs Garden Hall
956 Great North Road, Western Springs
Karaoke contest 2010 - "Get mad on the Mic!"
Karaoke contest 2010 - "Get mad on the Mic!" is presented by Hapai Te Hauora Tapui - Maori Public Health and supported by the Mental Health Foundation. It's an opportunity to dedicate your performance to promote mental wellbeing and supportive environments especially for those whanau affected by mental illness. Auditions are open to anyone and will be held on 23 and 24 June at Te Unga Waka Marae, in Epsom. There will be a finals dinner on 9 July, with great prizes!
Register online now! (http://www.hapai.co.nz/like-minds-like-mine-karaoke-contest-201/)
Reducing symptoms of depression among Maori
A new treatment manual developed as part of doctoral research could result in significant improvements and outcomes for Maori receiving treatment for depression. Clinical psychologist Simon Bennett graduated today with a PhD in Psychology. His doctoral research included the development of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme and manual adapted for use with adult Maori that was then successfully trialled with 16 Maori clients. More at http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=72&id=52852
One in 10 new dads get 'baby blues'
Researchers from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, USA, pooled data from 43 studies involving about 28,000 participants that documented depression in fathers from the first three months of pregnancy to the first year after delivery. Overall, they estimated that about 10 percent of fathers experience depression before or soon after the birth of a child. More at http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/3718792/One-in-10-new-dads-get-baby-blues
Sunday lost to workday blues
If you're feeling a bit down today, you're not alone - more people are suffering Sunday blues as they think about going back to work. Kiwi experts have backed UK research showing 26 percent of workers have their weekends ruined by the thought of Monday mornings. Teresa Ash, from Signature Psychologies in Auckland, said people didn't have enough time to recharge their batteries and low moods were particularly common on Sunday afternoons and evenings. More at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/print.cfm?objectid=10646881
How to stay happy this winter
While we all may get a bit of the blues over winter, many of us seem to slip a bit further into depression. Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD) is more widespread than we may otherwise think, and can be mistaken for exam stress. This disorder comes but once a year, over winter, as we get less sun and a whole lot more rain, wind, and general weather-beaten-ness. As summer comes around, the veil lifts, and we don't worry about it... until next year. More at http://www.salient.org.nz/columns/how-to-stay-happy-this-winter
