I hope everyone had a meaningful Mental Health Awareness Week in Aotearoa!
The theme for 2022 was ‘Reconnect – with the people and places that lift you up, hei pikinga waiora’.
I acknowledged MHAW by attending the New Zealand Sea Lion/Pakake/Whakahao Annual Forum Hui alongside the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, Otago Regional Council, Ministry of Fisheries, Rūnaka and Ngāi Tahu, and speaking on behalf of a species I am very passionate about; connecting with established and new friends; enjoying some comedic relief from a full week of university and work, thanks to Harriet Moir – Entertainer / MC and her stand-up show ‘Lickdown: The Ultimate Bored Game’; gardening, (not only do you get ethical, beautiful and hand-crafted in Aotearoa jewellery when you purchase VANIA, you also receive a card embedded with wildflower seeds); and attending a free writing workshop hosted by the NZ Young Writers Festival.
Activities of which have been proven to help alleviate mental health: spending time with whānau, friends and animals, laughing, immersing yourself in nature and writing/journaling.
As Dr Jordan B Peterson said, “If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly.”
Photo: Sian wearing AFENDS and VANIA by Fran.