Social action is when you notice something that isn’t working well – like unfairness, stigma or a gap in support – and work with others to create positive change in your school or community.
Rangatahi Rise
Welcome, Rangatahi Rise is a youth-led social action project. It supports young people to spot a mental health challenge in their kura, school or community and take action together to create positive change. With guidance for teachers and tools for students, your group is backed every step of the way.
How Rangatahi Rise works
Every Rangatahi Rise project follows a simple social action journey using best-practice mental health promotion models and recent research from pilot schools.
Step 1. Spot the issue
Your group identifies a mental health or wellbeing challenge affecting rangatahi in your kura, school or community. From stress and exam pressure to bullying or loneliness.
Step 2. Plan the action
Guided by the Rangatahi Rise action plan and frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā, you design an activity or campaign that can shift attitudes, build skills and strengthen connection.
Step 3. Make change
You carry out your project, and share your message.
Step 4. Reflect
Gather and discuss how the project went. Reflect on what you learnt and what you’ll do next – growing confidence, leadership and wellbeing along the way.
For students.
Rise up and lead the change.
It’s easier than you think to start a Rangatahi Rise project. You only need a small crew of like-minded friends and a teacher who has your back. Together, you’ll choose an issue that matters, use the action plan to map out your steps, and run activities that make life better for rangatahi in your community. You’re backed by the Mental Health Foundation team and other groups around the motu, so you’re never doing it alone.
For teachers.
Champion rangatahi-led social action.
Rangatahi Rise gives you a structured, evidence-based framework to support youth-led mental health projects. You’ll help students plan, deliver and evaluate their project using tools grounded in models like Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Pae Māhutonga and the Spectrum of Prevention. Your role is to guide, advocate within the school, and keep things safe and manageable – with resources, supervision and a dedicated contact from the Rangatahi Rise team to support you.
Ready to get involved?
Have you identified a mental health issue or challenge? Are you ready to start a project?
Succesful projects
Check out the benefits and insights from projects that have been completed successfully.
Why Rangatahi Rise?
Evidence-based
Built on proven health promotion and social action models, and informed by data from pilot projects in schools across Aotearoa, Rangatahi Rise combines research with real-world experience.
Youth-led, supported by adults
Rangatahi choose the focus and lead the mahi, while teachers and the MHF team provide scaffolding, safety and admin support so projects can thrive.
Focused on mental health
Every project is designed to strengthen mental health and wellbeing – building skills, confidence and connection for the students running it and those they support.
FAQs
Students and teachers
All you need is a group of young people who are passionate about making positive changes to the mental health and wellbeing of rangatahi in your kura, school or community.
Start by talking to a teacher or staff member at your school who can support the committee.
Find a teacher who understands mental health, such as a health teacher, dean or guidance counsellor. There may also be a staff member who students naturally identify as the “go-to” person for mental health support at your school, and they can also assist your committee. Ask the support teacher to help recruit more members by posting information in the daily school notices or making announcements during assemblies.
Remember, we’re here to help too. You can also arrange a Zoom meeting with our team, the lead teacher, and yourself so we can provide further information and help you get started – email us at rangatahi@mentalhealth.org.nz
Submit your project
For students: Start a Rangitahi Rise group
Team up with friends, choose a mental health issue you care about, and lead a project that makes life better for rangatahi where you live and learn. You’ll get digital resources, videos and support from the Mental Health Foundation and a network of groups across Aotearoa.
For Teachers & Kaiako: Support social action in your kura or school
Help your students turn ideas into real change using evidence-based health promotion tools like Te Whare Tapa Whā and Te Pae Māhutonga, plus a clear action plan and ongoing support.
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There is no health without mental health
Help ensure everyone in Aotearoa has the tools to enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing.
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