Stories

Three brothers and a mate embark on an epic kayaking quest and encourage others to find solace in the great outdoors.

Jose Watson finds riding her horse and noticing the environment brings her the benefits of mindfulness and fitness.

One man's epic journey of connection with nature and self-reflection.

Discover how Jocelyn Watkin used mindfulness and movement to help youth mental health.

Writing in my diary helped me process the magnitude of the September 2010 quake.

During Cyclone Gabrielle, the community's swift, rally-around support became vital to Shannon's family's mental well-being and recovery

Wallace's story highlights the power of connection and Pacific cultural values in building community resilience after a natural disaster.

Tara, a young wāhine based in Tāmaki Makaurau who realised her own strength as she supported her mum, evacuated from her Puhoi home.

Tyson's journey demonstrated how simple acts of service and being "present" for others can help both the giver and the receiver.

The story of how Aroha’s Way, a beautifully-illustrated children’s book about how to manage anxiety, was written.

Toni's physical symptoms were misdiagnosed as symptoms of her mental illness.

Kris Bartley tells how coping with a medical diagnosis improved her mental health awareness and sparked her creativity.

During Naveen's experience with Long Covid, reading other people’s experiences on online groups has been the most helpful thing.

Larisa talks about her family's experience and notes there are ways you can support people living with Long COVID that go a long way.

Being an advocate and supporter for those with Long Covid makes sense to Jenene, who has mostly called upon is her empathy.

Track cyclist Sam Dakin shares his experience as an elite athlete living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Looking back, Catherine thinks her experience of depression was triggered by a move from a larger lifestyle block to a smaller one.

Daniel has lived experience of psychosis and notes "Labels are used to try and understand things, but we often get them quite wrong."

Debbie's journey with bipolar disorder took her between three countries, finally to overcome stigma and find a meaningful life.

A passionate mental health advocate for over 30 years, Johnny has also been a wonderful colleague, peer and friend.

10 lessons from 10 years with Bipolar Disorder.

Shaun is committed to using his experience of bipolar and leadership expertise in his role at the MHF to strive for a New Zealand where no one has to go through a mental health problem alone.

After experiencing postnatal depression, Louise knew she wanted to make a difference for people and planet.

Helena, a peer support worker in Auckland, shares her story of recovery from mental distress and psychosis, in the hope it will help others.

Lyteah developed an eating disorder after being bullied by two boys that she knew, about her appearance.

Stan opens up about his battle with anxiety and explains how his culture, music and whānau have got him through his toughest moments.

Tom shares how fear, pressure, and the endless “what ifs” inside his head nearly broke him - and how meditation, yoga, and learning to live in the present brought him back

Chloe shares some of her personal experiences with the Mental Health Act, some of the wisdom she’s gleaned, and her thoughts on the next steps for this law’s change.

Ella Dickison celebrates graduating as a clinical psychologist with a bold new look, and a promise to positively influence a difference in mental health.

As I started my training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), my world began to change.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that the right resources can profoundly shape how we support tamariki in developing emotional resilience, courage, and awareness.

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a powerful model for understanding how impacts on wellbeing are felt across our life, and also a guide for how we can work with this inter-connectedness to address issues and challenges.

Every time a high profile figure like Harewood tells his truth, we move forward a little bit

This book taught me suffering is an individually unique experience and is an inevitable part of being human we can all connect to.

Being open to and curious about the experiences of fellow humans helps create empathy, understanding, and self-reflection.

He tao rākau e taea te karo, he tao kupu e kore e taea”. The thrust of a spear can be avoided, but not the thrust of words.

For me, to treasure stories of all kinds is to be human. Every story we have the privilege to hear, to read, to watch has the potential to change something: our minds and our moods.

I remain indebted to the solidarities that were brought together in this anthology, reminding me to always think about who and what is missing from the room, whose voices are not heard.

This book has given me the theory, wisdom and foundation of some of my practices, which are innate as a Māori leader.

I am most attracted to ideas that can be applied in the day-to-day reality of a busy work and family life - the science of small habits is one idea that I have found particularly helpful.

We talk about navigation a lot with our lived experience communities – when we say we are all on a journey or we are journeying towards something.

Stoicism is a guiding philosophy that has positively influenced my personal and professional life. Stoic wisdom helps me live a more joyful, productive, and resilient life.

"Every human is like all other humans, some other humans, and no other human".

A core belief of mine is that all people deserve and can live satisfying and meaningful lives when they are in a supportive environment and have access to effective psychological tools.

Connection is everything. It's how we spend our good times, and it's how we cope with the bad.

A 60 year passion for promoting health, mental health and community wellbeing.

Māori and indigenous nations determine what the Tūramarama Declaration means to them and their approaches. It is a guide and a timeless document.

My faith: the living world within which we, as people, do our very best.

To this day when I feel lost in my professional life, it is these books that I draw strength, wisdom and clarity from.

Shaun is a living testament to the power of the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework, which he has made an integral part of his daily life.

Some of the most powerful things Aotearoa can do to protect and enhance our people’s mental wellbeing lie beyond the mental health and addiction system. But we need to think holistically – and work together – to make them possible.

When people interested in nutrition and mental health ask me what I would suggest as “must-reads”, I recommend just two books.

Loss and grief are everywhere. How odd they’re so common yet grievers still get misunderstood, avoided, and judged. One recent book frankly addresses this and empowers us in our work.

A kaupapa Māori mental health service pilot taking a different approach to care

A transformative pathway to care at Auckland’s acute inpatient mental health unit

How one city showed the world a better model for mental health care 

A real estate agent’s epic effort to rally his community around mental health

Rangiora gym members push themselves to the limit for mental health.

Jenny Hirst honours her father and her wellbeing with a 60km run on her 60th birthday.

Georgia Dougherty's marathon effort to raise vital funds and honour her dad.

Meet the Early Bird Run Crew that advocates for the transformative power of running, support and community.  

From depression to hope — Justin's blindfolded marathon run symbolises his mental health journey.

Libby’s passion for movement and being out in nature to look after her wellbeing is something that’s also helped motivate her. 

Isla is a pint-sized powerhouse with a passion for skateboarding and positive mental health.

Suzy Cato says it was an absolute privilege to have danced for the Mental Health Foundation on TV3’s Dancing With The Stars.

Hamish Kerr is the best high jumper in the world but behind his Olympic gold lies a story of self-doubt, fear, and finding strength when everything is on the line.

As one of Aotearoa’s most inspiring athletes, Mea reminds us that no matter how dark life gets, there’s always a way forward.

Roisin Bennett’s journey from lived experience to leadership in wellbeing.

How a tech leader turned a fitness challenge into a movement for camaraderie, conversation, and a powerful commitment to workplace wellbeing.

71-year-old widow finds strength, purpose and community through The Push-Up Challenge.

11-year-old Clover uses her charms and a new haircut to make a difference and raise awareness about neurodiversity.

Rest home residents join to keep active, keep connected and fundraise for better mental health.

"Care for yourself, care about yourself," is Areta’s advice when asked about successful ageing.

Psychiatrist , ageing specialist and baby boomer Chris Perkins has her own "ways to wellbeing".

When it comes to alternatives for housing the baby boomers, there’s no one answer, Judith Davey says.

Dr Juliet Batten, author and psychotherapist, helps us prepare for our later years with these practical tips.

Fifty-something Ngaire Kerse can't wait to be old.

Joanna Macfarlane tasked herself with researching the mental health of the biggest demographic group in New Zealand: baby boomers.

Education, faith and work enable Jennifer Nicholls to rise above any discrimination surrounding her mental health experiences.

Sarah-Jane sees suncatchers as a symbol of hope and to remind her that even in times of darkness, there is always hope that the light will shine again.

Artist Tess Sheerin’s mental health journey hasn’t been easy – but it’s been one she’s been able to inspire others with through her art.

Jessie tells how she has overcome verbal and physical bullying, racism, sexual harassment, and online trolling.

Lisa now makes an extra effort to be welcoming and kind to people, after her actions had a positive impact on a recent immigrant.

Abbas reminds us that gratitude can transform fear into strength – and that connection can heal even the deepest wounds. 

While working on a better work-life balance, it was someone else who pointed out to orchardist Stephen he needed a break.

After years working on the sea and the land, Tony Anderson sees mental distress as a normal life experience.

Farmer Wendy Coup woke up with back spasms, as it turns out, caused by burn out. She talks about her return to wellbeing.

Justine talks about her experiences and wants people to know that recovery – even from the darkest times – is possible.

"It needs to be a priority that we reach out and get help. It’s like PD – personal development for your spirit!”

Cheyenne shares how sharing her experiences has also empowered her to accept what they have lived through and turn them into strengths.

Actor Rob Mokaraka opens up on how it took a near-catastrophic incident with police to make him realise he had depression.

Event reminds skaters that seeking help shows strength, not weakness.

Needing someone to talk to who understood losing a loved one to suicide, Bronwyn Gray used her local newspaper to start a group.

Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath puts a Pasifika lens on the important support and care of people who have lost someone to suicide.

Lynne highlights the importance of finding the right ways to talk about suicide loss and share the stories of those affected

Physical movement, the outdoors, adventure – using these tools, they began to resonate with a demographic known for hiding their emotions, men.   

As a group facilitator who has been personally affected by suicide, Mark Wilson understands grief.

For Megan, attending a group put her feelings of isolation to rest. She feels she’s now in the right place for herself and able to offer help to others.

Virginia Brooks’ personal experience of losing family members to suicide has helped her to develop resources for others.

Grace also opens up about the people who helped her through tough times and the powerful lessons she’s learned about compassion, community, and grief.

Life and work are closely interwoven for Dr Cherryl Waerea-i-te-rangi Smith with her work looking at intergenerational relationships.

MMA fighter Shane Young is supporting Pink Shirt Day to help make Aotearoa a safer, kinder place for Māori and everyone.

How Healthy Families Rotorua have been using maramataka as part of their workplace wellbeing initiative.

A year after tertiary student Lucy McSweeney took part in the MHF's social change programme POD, she was taking her petition to Parliament.

What are the realities of tertiary study? Students and staff at two tertiary institutions share their ideas and experiences.

Hospitality students put mental health on the menu.

Creative spin on sharing mental health stories fosters connection at university.

Humour and mental illness might seem to have little in common but Cori Gonzalez-Macuer brings them together in Open Minds.

Mitre 10 employs 6,000 people in New Zealand, which is why they have a support centre of around 350 people.

Monique Jones is enjoying the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace.

Making every day at work an awesome day isn’t just a pipe dream for telecommunications company Chorus – it’s a strategy.

How Open Minds e-learning was used to support a team working in aged care.

A blooming wonderful fundraiser.

Taking part in Pink Shirt Day was a way for us to signal to staff that bullying isn’t acceptable.