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Tag Archives: Mental Health Foundation

Reprints of popular Mental Health Commision resources now available

May 26, 2015 10:48 pm ⋅

Due to popular demand, new versions of “Oranga Ngākau – Getting the most out of Mental Health and Addiction Services: A recovery resource for service users” and “When someone you care about has a mental health or addiction issue” are available in hard copy or by download.

“Oranga Ngākau” is easy to understand and provides valuable information about what to expect from treatment in mental health and addiction services. This includes a glossary of terms used during care, as well as describing different possible scenarios when using these services for the first time.

“When someone you care about has a mental health or addiction issue” is a resource for those who are supporting others. Read about the best ways for family, whānau and friends to help people close to them who are in care, as well as how to find support for themselves, should they need it.

Contact:
Kim Higginson, Information Officer, Mental Health Foundation
info@mentalhealth.org.nz

Posted in: Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Support, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mental Health Foundation: A to Z of Mental Health

April 20, 2015 1:55 am ⋅

Have you seen the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand’s new A‒Z of mental health conditions? From anxiety to suicidal feelings, they have compiled the best-quality information about mental health conditions available in New Zealand so you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your mental health.

No one should have to go through a mental health problem alone. They believe the information in the A‒Z will help remove some of the fear and confusion that can accompany a diagnosis of mental illness, allowing individuals, families and whānau some peace of mind so they can move forward together.

Each page contains information about symptoms, causes and treatment options, and addresses some of the common myths associated with that condition. You will also find links to support groups, brochures with further information, useful links, and tips for looking after yourself. It really is a fantastic resource.

They’re still in the process of adding different conditions to the list, so check back frequently for updates. If you have any further questions, you can contact one of their fantastic information officers via the Live Chat option on their website or by emailing info@mentalhealth.org.nz

Contact: Sophia Graham, senior communications officer at the Mental Health Foundation

Posted in: Online Resources, Personal Development Tools, Social Change, Suicide Prevention/Support ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mental Health Foundation’s New Report: Stories of Success

July 5, 2014 3:15 am ⋅

Stories of friendship, acceptance and social inclusion are being shared in a new report released by the Mental Health Foundation.

In association with Like Minds, Like Mine, Stories of Success is the latest part of a national programme to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

“Social inclusion is a basic human need and right,” says Hugh Norriss from the Mental Health Foundation of NZ in the report.

The report reveals the powerful role friends, whānau, employers, and others play in recovery from mental illness.

Full press release here.

Report here.

Posted in: Online Resources, Recovery Stories, Research, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Video Competition & Teaching Resource

February 17, 2014 12:55 pm ⋅

Panui for Media Studies Teachers

The Mental Health Foundation is running a video competition for teenagers.

This is open to all students, but could be the product of a formative exercise for media production standards 2.6 and 3.6, for which a teaching unit plan is provided.

They are looking for a 30 second youth-friendly YouTube video that encourages youth to stop and pause when they hear  words like “nutjob”, “slut”, “schizo”, “mental”, and “homo”, and reflect on language that is stigmatising or discriminatory (especially in relation to mental illnesses).

The objectives are:

  • to provide students with  a useful insight into health marketing
  • to get students to help curtail bullying and to participate in mental health promotion
  • to generate a high-quality, resource we can use in a viral marketing campaign
  • it will be youth friendly and accessible
  • it will help to change people’s attitudes,
  • it well provide tools and skills to challenge inappropriate and demeaning language

What the brief will be for the video:

Work produced by youths has the potential to attract real interest from their peers.

Timeline:

Friday, 4th of April             Thehe unit plan will be sent to interested teachers

Friday, 20th of June          Entries close

Thursday, 17th of July      Awards ceremony

What the students will gain:

This will offer a meaningful learning opportunity based on the opportunity to produce a ‘real world’ product which will be used in a media campaign.

Research has indicated that teenagers care about the discriminatory language that they and their peers use, and would appreciate the opportunity to make clear statements about what is appropriate and what is not.

There will be prizes, and an award ceremony.

Perhaps more significantly, the winning students will achieve internet fame through a viral marketing campaign based on the winning videos; this will involve promotion through social media platforms and celebrity endorsements.

Teaching Resource.

This programme offers a high-quality teaching and summative assessment unit, including a lesson plans and assessment criteria, for media studies achievement standards 2.6 and 3.6 (media production), giving students practice in the skill of video production. This resource will be ready for the beginning of term 2.

If you are interested, please contact ivan@mentalhealth.org.nz, or on 027 2808972.

Posted in: Documentary, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Videos from LGBTTI Wellness and Suicide: What do we need to change?

March 22, 2013 8:04 pm ⋅

LGBTTI Wellness and Suicide: What do we need to change? was a one-day symposium held in Auckland on 27 February 2013, looking at mental wellbeing and suicide prevention in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takataapui and intersex populations.

The day was hosted by Auckland District Health Board, OUTLine NZ, Rainbow Youth, Affinity Services and the Mental Health Foundation.

Videos and slides from the symposium presentations are available below:

Posted in: Online Resources, Rainbow / LGBTQI+ Community, Suicide Prevention/Support ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Chinese Recovery Stories on Kai Xin Xing Dong

October 21, 2012 10:21 pm ⋅

MEDIA RELEASE

Mental Health Foundation of NZ: 8 October 2012 

Chinese children do not need to be number one all the time says father

Raymond is a Malaysian-born Chinese father of two New Zealand-born children – his pride and joy! He wants other Chinese dads to realise that in New Zealand children don’t need to be ‘number one’ all the time. And, as well as being a committed father, he tries to be a good husband.

Raymond’s story is the third in a series of articles posted on the Mental Health Foundation’s English-Mandarin Kai Xin Xing Dong website. The articles are intended to support and encourage new parents during the Year of the Dragon.

When extended families do not reside in the same country, there are often more challenges for parents, especially if you are a first-time parent bringing up your newborn in New Zealand society. The Mental Health Foundation understands that new parents need help and support and, sometimes, just by knowing where to find these can be all you need to feel more confident. We hope by reading these parents’ stories you will not feel so alone.

Subjects discussed in Raymond’s story include the importance of peer support, instilling tradition, using positive reinforcement and how fatherhood can be hugely rewarding.

Our articles are published online in English and Mandarin and give lots of practical advice for the first years of a child’s life and beyond. They also touch on post natal depression and where to get help.

The series coincides with the launch of the Chinese Mental Health Consultation Services’ new Vagus helpline.

Vagus Line 0800 56 76 666 

This new service is to promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence. It provides free, confidential and professional advice, such as parenting strategies and communication skills. If necessary, clients can be referred to Vagus counselling services or related resources. Service hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12 noon to 2pm.

Year of the Dragon 

2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon and has given rise to the phrase “dragon baby” for families expecting a new arrival. The dragon is the mightiest zodiac sign in Chinese astrology, and is associated with traits such as success, ambition and independence. Many mothers consider this to be a particularly auspicious year to give birth. In recognition of this, we have made a special Dragon Baby section on the Kai Xin Xing Dong website, where we offer Chinese language information for new and expectant mothers.

Kai Xin Xing Dong 

Kai Xin Xing Dong is a Like Minds, Like Mine public education programme aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by Chinese people who experience mental illness. The project is funded by the Ministry of Health and guided by the Kai Xin Xing Dong Advisory Group.

For more information please contact: 

Paula Taylor
Communications, Marketing Manager
09 300 7025
021 300 594
paula@mentalhealth.org.nz

For comment in Mandarin, please contact: 

Ivan Yeo
Mental Health Promoter
09 300 7017
027 2808 972
ivan@mentalhealth.org.nz

Posted in: Asian Communities, Online Resources, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Chinese Information for New and Expectant Mothers

May 21, 2012 5:23 am ⋅

2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon and has given rise to the phrase “dragon baby” for families expecting a new arrival.

The dragon is the mightiest zodiac sign in Chinese astrology, and is associated with traits such as success, ambition and independence. Many mothers consider this to be a particularly auspicious year to give birth.

In recognition of this, The Mental-Health Foundation of NZ have made a special Dragon Baby section, where they offer Chinese language information for new and expectant mothers.

Resources on offer

Post natal depression

National Screening Unit resources in other languages

Nine SKIP parenting pamphlets

When your baby can’t stop crying – Canadian resource, phone numbers are outside of New Zealand

Unicef breastfeeding and bottle feeding advice

Kids Health, Australia – health fact sheets

Kidscount –  Australian website with information that can help you to raise happy and confident children

http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/kaixinxingdong/page/478-resources+dragon-baby-resources

Posted in: Asian Communities, Cultural Considerations, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Women ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,