MHAW Day Three: Take Notice
MEDIA RELEASE
7 October
Winning Ways to Wellbeing Mental Health Awareness Week 5-11 October
The Mental Health Foundation is issuing a challenge to all New Zealanders to focus on a "Winning Way to Wellbeing" every day for the working week. The Foundation says everyone has a part to play in looking after their mental health.
Today's challenge is to Take Notice. This is about being aware of the world around you and seeing the beauty in everyday and unusual things as reflecting on them helps you appreciate what matters to you.
"Taking notice is about being in the moment and being mindful of what is around you. It's about observing those things that you find beautiful," says Judi Clements, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation.
Taking Notice can be through such simple methods as going somewhere in your local community that you have always intended to visit. For activity ideas on taking notice as an individual, workplace, community and more, visit out the Foundation's online toolkit.
Based on research by the Foresight Project that identified five ways to wellbeing, each Winning Way is a method everyone can use to support their own wellbeing and that of the people around them. Winning Ways to Wellbeing is also the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.
A series of exciting events have been planned for the week throughout New Zealand, including a fashion show and t-shirt launch, a gig, a fiesta, a CD launch, art exhibitions, a book launch, and more. See our events calendar.
Today, singer-songwriter Jenn Shelton launches a compilation album The SOUL Project:, which brings together a wealth of talented musicians. The album promotes understanding and sharing of experiences of mental illness and recovery through music. The launch is being held at 5:30pm at Mac's Brewery Bar Function Room, Taranaki Street, Wellington.
Another event that allows people to take notice is a Wellington-based event titled Mindfulness: a way to wellbeing. Held at Capital PHO from 11:45am to 1pm, trainers from Wellness Solutions will outline the principles and health benefits of mindfulness practice and lead a guided session.
In addition, every day during MHAW, a new video on mental health will be available online. In today's video author and Maori language scholar Ruth Makuini Tai talks about her perspective on wellbeing.
Mental Health Awareness Week is endorsed by the World Federation for Mental Health and marked in over 150 countries. World Mental Health Day takes place on Saturday 10 October.
For further enquiries please contact:
Carrie Briffett
Communications Officer
Mental Health Foundation
09 966 5725 or 021 918 220
carrie "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
