Mental Health Awareness Week welcomed by counsellor

It is Mental Health Awareness Week and those who deal with the issue on a daily basis say it is a great initiative.

Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust aims to promote mental health and prevent suicide in Rotorua. Project leader Michael Naera said he was all for improving awareness around mental wellness.

"It's about people thinking about each other and making sure that everyone is okay. I think that's very important.

"I think it does [encourage people who are not feeling well to ask for help]. When you have positive activities that are running, it creates courage for those who are struggling with their mental health."

Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust leader Michael Naera. Photo / File

Rotorua Intermediate School counsellor Ben Teinakore-Curtis said the week had many benefits.

He said as well as helping individuals identify their own mental health issues and how to deal with them, the awareness week helped educate the people around them.

"It creates awareness within the community, to understand that this is actually something important that everyone needs to be able to identify. At the end of the day it is about awareness and it's about educating people.

"For example; we have a lot of whānau who don't understand that someone within their family has mental health issues, so it's an awareness for them to identify those things."

Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.