MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 25 September
Mental Health is everyone’s business! Dunedin focussing on the five ways to wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 8-14th October and Dunedin is using the ‘Five ways to wellbeing’ (Give, Be
Active, Keep Learning, Connect, Take Notice) alongside the local ‘Unlock your Wellbeing’ Theme. “We want our local
Dunedin communities to celebrate that Te Taha Hinengaro, Mental Health, is everyone’s business. The organising committee
has worked extremely hard this year to make sure everyone can be part of these fun and free events,” says Sarah
Chisnall, co-facilitator and Health Promotion Specialist at WellSouth.
The week kicks off with a Launch Night at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery from 6:30pm, providing a chance to ‘Connect’.
This free event features inspirational speakers Alesha Pyers and Peter Frost, and Suitcase Theatre, who will perform
excerpts of their play ‘Mental Notes 2.0’, a collection of stories on the hearts, minds and faces of mental illness.
There will also be opportunities for the public to purchase tickets ($15) for the full length performances of Mental
Notes 2.0 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, 7:30pm, at Playhouse Theatre.
There are also some art-focused activities throughout the week to encourage people to ‘Keep Learning’. Koputai Lodge in
Port Chalmers is holding an open day at their cottage on Tuesday 9th October between 11am and 4pm. Members of the public
are welcome to come along and have a go at art and craft activities, including jewellery making. During each week day,
the public are invited to take part in an Interactive Mural located in Wall Street Mall. Local Professional Cartoonist
and Muralist Brent Harpur will be facilitating the mural, encouraging people to ‘Take Notice’ and contribute to the
mural. Whether it is by adding to the design or simply colouring in a section, everyone and anyone can take part. Brent
Harpur wants “to collectively create something that the whole community can feel engaged in, and hope that people of all
ages and abilities will pop down and help us create a giant work of art. Using words and images, we hope the public will
use this opportunity to share their very own stories and dialogues associated with mental health and well-being.”
Mental Health Awareness Week concludes with a family-friendly Wellness Walk and Fun-Run at John Wilson Drive, Saturday
13th October starting at 10am. This event encourages all people, irrespective of age and ability, to ‘Be Active’ as a
way to nourish their Te Taha Hinengaro and Te Taha Wairua (spiritual health). Lisa Silva, coordinator of Wellness
Walkers Trust, says "our sole purpose as a charity is to promote health and wellbeing through nature walking, and we
can't wait to see the community come together for this fantastic event. Unlock your wellbeing -- Let nature in!"
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. To register for any of the events check out our Facebook
page: Mental Health Awareness Week – Dunedin. The Dunedin events for Mental Health Awareness week are presented under
the umbrella of the Dunedin Mental Health and Addictions Network.
ENDS
WEEK EVENTS
Monday 8th October: Dunedin Launch Night, 6:30pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Register at: buytickets.at/mhaw/191472
Tuesday 9th October: Arts and Crafts Day, 11am-4pm, Koputai Cottage 41 Ajax Rd
Thursday 11th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th: Mental Notes 2.0 performance, 7:30pm, Playhouse Theatre 31 Albany St. Tickets
available from: www.trybooking.com
Saturday 13th October: Wellness Walk and Fun Run, 10am-12pm, Hancock Park and John Wilson Drive. Register at:
buytickets.at/mhaw/191493
Monday 8th – Friday 12th: Interactive Mural with Brent Harpur, 10am-4pm, Wall Street Mall
Five ways to wellbeing: Be Active, Keep Learning, Give, Connect, Be Mindful