Your monthly update from the Mental Health Foundation
Kia ora Friend,
Congratulations New Zealand on moving into Alert Level 2! This was only possible because of the hard work and sacrifices we all made to get COVID-19 under control. So give yourself a big pat on the back.
In this edition of In Touch, read the first in a series of new blog posts from Mental Health Foundation Senior Policy Advisor Janet McAllister.
Check out our Getting Through Together mental health and wellbeing resources to help Kiwis get through COVID-19 together.
We also have two grants available, one for community groups and one for creative people.
If you fancy getting a little glamorous, join us in the Glam Up & Give campaign to help raise funds. You can also take part in our Go the Distance fundraiser happening throughout May.
And remember, Pink Shirt Day will be held later this year, so sign up now to receive updates and notifications.
Finally, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and fundraised during lockdown, we really appreciate it.
Nāku iti nei,
Jo and the team at the Mental Health Foundation
PS. The shop at shop.mentalhealth.org.nz has now re-opened for printed resource orders!
Holding the Government to account
The work for our nationwide decision makers – to help keep us all as mentally well and as flourishing as possible when faced with the COVID-19 recession – is only just beginning. Read the first of what we hope will become a regular blog from Mental Health Foundation Senior Policy Advisor Janet McAllister.
Read more
Getting Through Together resources
COVID-19 has bought with it new challenges. To help us get through, the Mental Health Foundation has created a series of mental health and wellbeing resources on a range of topics including parenting, grief and loss, looking after staff wellbeing, managing triggered thoughts and emotions, and helplines and support.
View resources
Whai Ora, Whiti Ora Fund
Right now can be a really hard time for our communities, hapū and iwi. For those of us living with mental health and addictions challenges, it can be even harder.
With funding from the Ministry of Health, our new Whai Ora, Whiti Ora Fund can help you to help them through.
We're offering pūtea/grants of up to $20,000 from a total pool of $200,000, and would love to see how we can tautoko/support our communities, iwi and hāpu to get through!
Applications are open until 5pm, Thursday 28 May 2020, so get in quick!
Learn more & apply
Glam Up & Give
Join us in the new Glam Up & Give campaign. It's about coming together, spreading a little sparkle, and supporting people in need. We're honoured to be one of 10 NZ charities chosen as beneficiaries.
Whether it's a one-off shimmering selfie or a full-blown glamorous party night in, you can #glamupandgive in three easy steps.
1. Dress up
2. Snap a selfie making a heart symbol and share on social media using #glamupandgive
3. Donate at givealittle.co.nz/cause/glam-up-and-give.
Read more
Make change from your bubble
Apply for a Like Minds, Like Mine Pūtea Hapori/Community Grant this year and you could receive up to $10,000.
They're funding digital projects – think podcasts, videos and social media campaigns – that Tū Ake or stand up for what's right for people with mental health challenges by fighting false and damaging stereotypes against them.
Tū Ake, Tū Māia, and get your application in before 5pm, Friday 22 May!
Read more & apply
Pink Shirt Day 2020
Every May, schools, workplaces and families all over Aotearoa don pink for the Mental Health Foundation Pink Shirt Day campaign. However, due to COVID-19, Pink Shirt Day 2020 has been postponed until later this year. A new date will be announced soon, but you can still sign up for Pink Shirt Day notifications to be part of the celebrations, to Speak Up, Stand Together and Stop Bullying!
Pink Shirt Day
Go the Distance
During May, the Mental Health Foundation is holding its new Go the Distance fundraiser. If you're looking to add meaning to your walks around the block, want to take on a 'virtual run' as a solo challenge or as a group, stay connected with mates, or add some routine to your day, why not Go the Distance and raise funds for us at the same time.
Rachael was one of the first to sign up to a challenge. Having found herself jobless as a result of COVID-19, she's challenged herself to 'Walk to the Beehive'.
Read Rachael's story
Run 5, Donate 5, Nominate 5
Originally started in the UK as a fundraiser for the NHS, we've been overwhelmed by the number of awesome people who have been running 5km, giving $5 and nominating 5 people to do the same, here in New Zealand.
Over $20,000 was raised for the Mental Health Foundation in April in push up challenges, donated birthdays, virtual runs, head shaves, and a huge number of other creative ways. Thank you to all our wonderful fundraisers and their supportive whānau and friends!
#run5donate5nominate5
In memory of the Campbells
We are immensely grateful to the late Graeme and Leigh Campbell and their surviving family for their generous bequest to the Mental Health Foundation.
Graeme and Leigh both came from farming families and grew up to become medical professionals. They later became involved in mission work and spent a significant period in Pakistan where Graeme treated clubfoot in teenagers and Leigh visited people in prison.
Throughout her life, Leigh lived with bi-polar disorder. Graeme always supported her, including in later life when she developed Parkinson's Disease. They passed away aged 80 and 88. We're honoured and grateful to be one of their chosen charities.
Every month we receive support from generous fundraisers, donors and workplaces who champion the mental health cause. We thank you ALL. This month we would like to thank and acknowledge:
- Graeme & Leigh Campbell for their generous bequest
- All our #run5donate5nominate5 fundraisers
- All our online fundraisers who've maintained their mahi through the Covid-19 lockdown
- The following businesses for their recent donations and their ongoing support: Curly Tail Co NZ, The Flower Press, RealAML and Tracee.
Want to know more about work the Mental Health Foundation is involved in?
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Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand | PO Box 10051 | Dominion Road | Auckland 1446 | New Zealand
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