It’s NZ Mental Health Awareness Week from 23- 29 September and this is a crucial time to focus on well-being, reduce stigma, and support those around us.

It’s a reminder to actively prioritise and nurture our mental health all year round. This year’s theme is Community.

Community looks different for everyone, but it is about connecting with others and getting involved is a meaningful way to contribute to a healthier, more connected community.

Try starting the week off with an act of kindness, take time out of your day to help someone in a small but meaningful way, even a simple gesture like holding a door open for a stranger, or complimenting someone can create a chain reaction of kindness that uplift the whole community.

Reach out and connect with family or friends for a meal, a phone call, or an activity, take in some baking or organise a shared lunch for your work colleagues. Feeling connected is strongly associated with better wellbeing.

Find out what is happening in your local community or neighbourhood, join a new class or group, go out for coffee with that neighbour keep meaning to catch up with, or get involved with a local garden clean up or tree planting group – keep NZ beautiful while meeting new people.

Take a moment for yourself by writing down three things you are grateful for. Reflecting on the things we are thankful for can help us experience more positive emotions.

For more ideas to get involved visit www.mentalhealth.org.nz