We’re joining the national Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) campaign with on-campus activities and resources so you can look after your own mental wellbeing.
The campaign is centred around the theme of ‘Reimagine wellbeing together – He tirohanga anamata’ and is underpinned by Te Whare Tapu Whā framework – exploring wellbeing under the five kaupapa of health and wellbeing, and we’ll be focusing on a different pillar each day. We encourage you to check out the programme below and take some time for yourself during the week. You could drop in to our pop-up in the events space in Te Puna or in the Waitākere common space, listen to a podcast, or attend one of our popular Wellness activities.
Our MHAW programme – see what takes your fancy and come along to an activity that suits you!
All week: Pop-up mental health space: a drop-in space set up for staff and students to take a break. Chill out on a bean bag with a book, do some mindful colouring, play table tennis and access information on what support is available. Bring a colleague or come alone – this space is all about you taking time out to look after your stress levels and relax.
Where: Te Puna Events space, Mt Albert campus AND Waitākere common space
When: Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm
Monday: Taha Whanau – connect with people
8.30am: Karakia in the Wharenui, Mt Albert
8.30am: Karakia in the common space, Waitākere
4.30 – 5.15pm: CANCELLED THIS WEEK ‘Take a breather’ course – learn breathing techniques
Tuesday: Taha wairua – spirituality, environment, heritage, past, present and future
12.00 – 12.30pm: Hula B180 Basement, Mt Albert
1.00 – 1.45pm: Give Yoga a try, B174 Sports Centre
6.30 – 7.15pm: ‘Take a breather’ course ONLINE
Wednesday: Whenua – connection to the land and roots, where you stand
12.00 – 1.00pm: Vege Garden fun, between B110 &B111, Mt Albert
Thursday: Taha Tinana – physical wellbeing, how your body grows, feels and moves and how you care for it
1.30 – 2.15pm, Give Pilates a go , B174 Sports Centre, Mt Albert
2.00 – 2.45pm Give Yoga a Try, B510 Basement, Waitākere
4.00 – 5.00pm, Futsal, B174, Sports Centre, Mt Albert
Friday: Taha hinengaro – mental and emotional wellbeing
7.45 – 8.45am Give Yoga a go, B174, Sports Centre, Mt Albert
Services and resources
As well as the above wellness activities, we have many services available to help you feel balanced and fulfilled while at Unitec. For example, Te Noho Kotahitanga marae is a beautiful place to step back from your day-today world, our Sports Centre offers classes, personal trainers and more, meet others during and after work at the Social Club, we have spiritual and religious support, our Osteo clinic can help with ironing out your aches and pains, and you can visit Te Puna Waiora Health Centre to see a doctor, nurse or counsellor. Or if you simply want to enjoy our beautiful campus and get some fresh air, take one of the maps from outside B110 and go for a half-hour walk.
Find out about these and other services in our pop-up space all week.
EAP services can help with free, confidential advice, offering independent, experienced, New Zealand registered practitioners if you have a problem that you would like some professional expert advice or assistance with.
Check out the Mental Health Awareness week website for more information and resources.
And if it’s apps you’re into, here are some helpful options to download and listen to.
Insight Timer: Meditation & mindfulness App with a range of practices from various origins, spiritualties and religions as well as secular and science based meditation and mindfulness practices.
Plum Village: Meditation and mindfulness app based on Zen Buddhist Practices lead by Thich Nhat Hanh
Calm: Award winning American app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. Includes downloadable resources like; calm intention cards, a gratitude journal and intentions workbooks.
Smiling Mind: Australian App with meditation & mindfulness exercises. Includes program for Educators and tailored youth-based programmes to support good mental health and improved learning
There are also many valuable podcasts to help explain, support and give perspective in the area of mental health. Here are two that our Te Puna Waiora team recommend:
More about Te Whare Tapa Whā
MHAW is underpinned by Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori framework that describes wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls and a foundation, which are all interlinked. Developed by leading Māori health advocate and researcher Sir Mason Durie in 1984, it helps us identify where we need extra support.
It describes health as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation.
Each day of Mental Health Awareness Week is inspired by one of the five aspects of Te Whare Tapa Whā. Reimagine your wellbeing through the whare by exploring each aspect as we move through the week together.