Countdown to Mental Health Awareness Week

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 30 October

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is next week, and the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is encouraging New Zealanders to Keep Learning – be curious, embrace new experiences, and see opportunities.

KEEP LEARNING, one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, is the official theme for MHAW 2014.

“Learning is fun! Find something that you’ll enjoy and learn more about it. Be brave and do something you haven’t done before – learn to play a guitar, or to draw, to ride a bike!” MHF chief executive Judi Clements says. “Learn new things, keep the brain active – you’ll get more out of life and protect yourself from depression and dementia.”

From gardening workshops to film screenings, scavenger hunts to dance classes, Kiwis are getting creative with their MHAW celebrations. Activities are being planned throughout New Zealand that raise awareness about mental health, and give people opportunities to keep learning.

The MHF is running competitions to help Kiwis spread the word about the benefits of learning. Use the hashtag #MHAW14 to tweet us something we don’t know, or send photos of you learning to comms@mentalhealth.org.nz and be in to win amazing prizes including cooking lessons, vouchers for The Warehouse, a wellbeing pack, gift baskets, magazine subscriptions and much more!

We are also once again helping frazzled parents keep the kids entertained during school holidays with our colouring competition – winners will receive $50 prezzy cards.

For the first time, the MHF has arranged workshops to encourage you and your family to Keep Learning.

From raw food cooking, easy entertaining, terrarium making, printmaking, drawing and spoken word workshops, to a presentation on the Hauora community garden project and a film about food production and seed saving, there’s sure to be something that will take your fancy.

These Auckland-based workshops are being held in conjunction with Nature’s Nutrition, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, Studio One, Toi Ora Live Art Trust, Lot23, Hauora Garden Project and Nga Taonga Sound and Vision.

There are a range of workshops for both adults and children – perfect for the school holidays.

For more information about MHAW, see www.mentalhealth.org.nz/mhaw

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