New Mental Health Initiative Seeks Participants to Share Experiences And Normalise Mental Distress
Rākau Roroa is a new and unique initiative that seeks to train and support people to use their personal lived experience
of mental distress to create change in their communities, to reduce discrimination and to normalise the experience of
mental distress.
Rākau Roroa will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about wellbeing and mental distress, how it relates
to their own experiences and how they can use this information to champion positive mental health messages. They will
also be mentored by people who have been selected for their personal experience and expert knowledge of mental health
and countering discrimination.
A recent report from the NZ Health Promotion Agency on mental distress in New Zealand found that, “Four in five adults
(aged 15 years or more) have experience of mental distress personally or among people they know”, and that “although
mental distress is strongly patterned by disadvantage, anyone and everyone can experience distress.”
The report also broadens how we might view mental distress, “concepts of mental distress go beyond standard definitions
of depression and anxiety to include feeling isolated, overwhelmed by stress and not able to cope.”
It is the aim of the Rākau Roroa initiative to create a growing network of leaders who can use their personal experience
of mental distress to change the conversation around mental health in New Zealand and create environments that support
people’s wellbeing.
Rākau Roroa is a free government funded training initiative provided by the New Zealand Health Promotion Agency and
delivered by Changing Minds.
Applications are open now for people to take part in the Rākau Roroa training.
For more information and to apply visit www.changingminds.org.nz/rakauroroa
Report from the Health Promotion Agency, 6 March 2018: Wellbeing and Mental Distress in Aotearoa New Zealand: Snapshot
2016. https://www.hpa.org.nz/research-library/research-publications/wellbeing-and-mental-distress-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-snapshot-2016
ENDS