New Zealand Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

When: 18-24 September

Theme: Five Ways, Five Days

 

Groov is proud to be partnering with the Mental Health Foundation this Mental Health Awareness Week! Read on to learn more about this year’s theme and to register for one of our upcoming MHAW live events.

 
 

MHAW 2023 Events

Groov is partnering with the Mental Health Foundation to bring you two live webinars during Mental Health Awareness Week 2023.

 

Event one: The Five Ways to Wellbeing: Fostering a productive & thriving workplace culture

Tuesday 19 September | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZT

Join us for this uplifting and informative live chat, as Shaun Robinson (CEO, Mental Health Foundation), Dr Nathan Price (Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, New Zealand Rugby), and Charlotte Ward (Chief People Officer, Kiwibank) catch up with Dr Fiona Crichton to talk about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and how this helps us show up at work as our best selves.

Event two: The Five Ways to feeling good and functioning better

 

Friday 22 September | 12:30pm - 1:30pm NZT

Join us for this inspiring and uplifting MHAW live chat, with one of our favourite Groov friends Jase Te Patu (mental health advocate and Voice of Groov), and Dr Fiona Crichton (VP Behavioural Science, Groov), as they speak about the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and the relationship to Groov's 6 Pillars of Mental Wellbeing, and Te Whare Tapa Whā.

 
 

2023 theme: Five Ways, Five Days

Five Ways, Five Days focuses on five proven ways to boost your mental health. Read on for ideas* for bringing this theme to life in your workplace.

*Proudly brought to you in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation

 
 
 

Monday: Take notice

Taking notice is about taking stock of where you are right now. It’s an opportunity to connect with the present moment and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and the world around you.

Try these Take Notice activities at work:

  • Unplug from technology to complete page six of the MHAW 2023 guide (‘How will you take notice today’? page).

  • If you have work meetings today, begin with a karakia/prayer or short reflection, followed by a silent period, allowing your hoamahi to breathe mindfully and bring their full attention into the room.

 
 
 

Tuesday: Give

Being generous — be it with time, resources, or support — is a powerful way to create a positive impact on the world while also looking after your mental health. Giving boosts happiness and life satisfaction and provides a sense of belonging.

Try these Give activities at work:

  • Attend our Groov Live webinar with Shaun Robinson, Nathan Price, and Dr Fiona Crichton.

  • Bake something yummy to share with your colleagues at morning tea time.

  • Do you have a colleague who could do with a helping hand? Give them a few hours of your time today.

  • Take a moment to stop and kōrero with a colleague. As ‘how are you’ and really listen.

 
 
 

Wednesday: Be Active

Being active is fantastic for your mental health as it activates a cluster of feel-good hormones like dopamine and endorphins, and lowers stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Even a few minutes of movement will boost your mood and have other psychological benefits.

Try these Be Active activities at work:

  • Run or cycle to work today. Try parking a little further away from the office or get off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way.

  • Instead of having hui in the office, get some fresh air and go for a walking meeting outside.

 
 
 

Thursday: Connect

Connect is all about making social connections (whakawhanaungatanga). Feeling connected with others is strongly linked with better mental health and provides a strong sense of meaning and purpose.

Try these Connect activities in your workplace:

  • Organise a shared lunch with your colleagues.

  • Introduce yourself to a new colleague or employee at your workplace. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to help them settle in.

  • At the end of the day, ask a colleague what the best thing about their day was and listen when they respond.

 

Friday: Keep Learning

Keeping your brain active and learning is great for your mental health and a fantastic way to keep mental health front of mind all year round.

Try these Keep Learning activities at work:

  • Attend our Groov Live webinar with Jase Te Patu and Dr Fiona Crichton.

  • Organise a lunch and learn session with your colleagues. Arrange for a speaker to come in or ask a colleague to present on a topic that they are interested in.

  • Do some puzzles on your break. Crosswords, sudoku, and riddles are all great ways to exercise the mind.

 
 

Check out the Mental Health Foundation website for more MHAW 2023 resources

We hope to see you at one of our MHAW 2023 webinars! In the meantime, check out the Mental Health Foundation website for more incredible resources, including posters, screensavers, colouring templates, digital flyers, powerpoint slides, social tiles, and more.