Mental Health Foundation of NZ

The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charitable trust which aims to make mental health everybody’s business.

We specialise in mental health promotion with a focus on:

• Provision of information
• Publication of resources
• Depression awareness
• Youth mental health promotion
• Suicide prevention
• Social inclusion
• Consumer Tangata Whaiora issues
• Older people’s mental health
• Mentally healthy workplaces

Mental health promotion involves everyone. It includes a wide range of activities that improve people’s mental health and wellbeing, from working with individuals to improve their coping skills, to advocating for the reduction of socioeconomic barriers to mental health.

We take a community development approach to mental health promotion that fosters supportive environments and individual resilience, while showing respect for culture, equity, social justice, human rights and personal dignity.

We see the expertise, perspectives and participation of people with experience of mental illness/Tangata Whaiora as vital.

Our key services include:

National Information Service and Resource Centre

Our resource centre has a wealth of information and resources on mental health topics, including a comprehensive library, pamphlets and fact sheets. Everyone is welcome – The Resource and Information Centre is located at 81 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland. Open to the public from 9.00am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Ph: 09 300 7030.

Information provided by the Resource and Information Service is not intended to replace medical or professional advice. For diagnosis, treatment and medication, you should consult a health practitioner.

Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ)

SPINZ provides high quality information on suicide prevention that supports effective intervention and prevention activities for communities and services across Aotearoa New Zealand. Services include:

• Suicide prevention workshops
• Face-to-face community liaison and support
• A website www.spinz.org.nz

Depression awareness

We manage the National Depression Campaign on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The campaign focuses on creating awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression so people are able to seek help earlier. Visit www.depression.org.nz

The Mental Health Foundation also has its own depression campaign, Out of The Blue. For further information visit www.outoftheblue.org.nz

Working Well

 Working Well aims to support employers and managers to create more mentally healthy workplaces in New Zealand. It provides a range of services and resources including:

• A Working Well Toolkit
• Training opportunities – including tailored training to meet the needs of clients
• Seminars and conferences
• A website www.workingwell.co.nz .

Discrimination

We campaign for services which are non-discriminatory and a society that is fully inclusive of people with experience of mental illness. Like Minds, Like Mine is a campaign that provides anti-discrimination information and training, advocacy, policy advice and the facilitation of Vibe, a community action network for people aged 17–29. Visit www.likeminds.org.nz

Research

We undertake research into mental health issues such as:

• Research into employment and the issues that affect people with experience of mental illness
• Family attitudes to mental illness.

Advocacy and Policy Advice

We are involved in advocacy and policy-making for improving mental health services and reducing stigma and discrimination against people who experience mental illness.

We chair the Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (MHAC), a body that represents all sectors and perspectives involved in mental health and addictions. The MHAC advocates for improved mental health services and develops policy advice on specific issues for the Ministry of Health.

Mental Health Awareness Week

We coordinate an annual national mental health awareness week which takes place in October. Past themes included the links between nutrition and mental health and the effects of trauma and violence on children and adolescents.

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
81 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Ph: 09 300 7010

www.mentalhealth.org.nz

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