The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) has a vision of a society where all New Zealanders flourish. We work to influence individuals, whanau, organisations and communities to improve and sustain their mental health and reach their full potential.
The MHF uses both individual and population health approaches to improve mental health and wellbeing across a range of sectors and settings. A population health approach takes account of all influences on health and how they can be influenced to reduce inequalities and improve the overall health of the population. The individual approach sees the MHF promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing (simple strategies everyone can practise to improve wellbeing) across a range of sectors and settings, such as schools, workplaces, local government and DHBs.
The MHF also facilitates specific projects and campaigns targeted at particular segments of the population. For example:
- Farmers Wellness and Wellbeing project – to improve the mental wellbeing of men in rural areas
- Commonground – to improve information available to parents of teenagers
- Pink Shirt Day – to reduce bullying in schools
- Boomers and Beyond – to promote mental wellbeing information for people reaching retirement.
The MHF also works to: reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness; and to educate individuals, families and communities about suicide prevention through development and production of resources available free of charge to all individuals and organisations nationwide.
Contact: Shaun Robinson | www.mentalhealth.org.nz