MEDIA RELEASE
26 September 2018
Strengthening Oamaru’s Mental Wellbeing – Opportunities for all this Mental Health Awareness Week
“Connecting with the one another is an important aspect of keeping yourself well, and the Mental Health Awareness Week
planning committee have ensured that there is an opportunity for all to nourish their Te Taha Hinengaro (mental health)”
says Brittani Beavis, co-facilitator and Health Promotion Specialist at WellSouth.
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 8-14th October and the week is being kicked off with a Launch Night at Oamaru’s
Blind Foundation Hall on Tuesday 9th October 7:30pm. This free event will showcase inspirational speakers Chloe Searle
and Helen Algar, Suitcase Theatre will perform excerpts of their play ‘Mental Notes 2.0’, and the night will be finished
off with a chance to have a go at Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing. Refreshments will also be provided, sponsored by Oamaru Lions.
On Wednesday 10th October the Oamaru community is invited to participate in a ‘Whānau day at Friendly Bay.’ This is an
opportunity for all ages to come together and connect, next to the beautiful Oamaru Harbour. The Oamaru Lions are
providing a free sausage sizzle and S.K.I.P are providing rock painting and a teddy bears picnic. There will also be
cultural performances, live music and scooter skills at the bike skills park. In the afternoon the public are invited to
travel up to the Oamaru Community Gardens and take part in a Guided Meditation Walk at 2pm or have a go at African
Drumming at 3pm.
Mental Health Awareness week is concluded on Thursday with a Multicultural film evening at The Oamaru Library at 6pm.
This film has been put together by Waitaki Multicultural Council and Waitaki Libraries, and is about hope and hardship,
families and friends, mental health awareness and staying well. Maria Buldain, Waitaki Migrants Meet and Share
facilitator says “producing this short film is all about promoting healthy relationships between the host community and
newcomers working together.”
Mental health is everyone’s business and this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week promises to provide opportunities for
all the public to get involved and nourish their mental health. The Oamaru events for Mental Health Awareness week are
presented under the umbrella of Safer Waitaki - Waitaki District Council, Mental Health and Addictions Network.
ENDS
CONTACT
Brittani Beavis; Brittani.Beavis@wellsouth.org.nz; 03 477 1163
WEEK EVENTS
Tuesday 9th October: Oamaru Launch Night, 7:30pm, Oamaru Blind Foundation. Suitcase Theatre’s Mental Notes 2.0 excerpts,
Inspirational Speakers Chloe Searle and Helen Algar, and try Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing
Wednesday 10th October: Whānau Day at Friendly Bay, 10am-2pm, Friendly Bay Playground. Free Sausage Sizzle, rock
painting, teddy bears picnic, scooter skills, and live music.
Wednesday 10th October: Meditation Walk and African Drumming, 2-3pm: Guided Meditation walks, 3-4pm: Have a go at
African Drumming, Oamaru Community Gardens.
Thursday 11th October: Multicultural Film, 6pm, Oamaru Library. A film about the migrant community in Oamaru. Light
supper and refreshments provided.