Kia ora <<First Name>>
How's that extra hour of sunlight going? Are you loving being able to sneak in an evening run or walk, or struggling to get out of bed? Or maybe a bit of both?
Daylight saving is always a marker that summer is just round the corner and that we've almost made it through the year! So take a moment to high five your partner, fav cousin, children, colleague or nan because you did it! Despite all the curveballs 2020 threw us, you are here right now. Go you!
In this issue, we've got some powerful stories from people working on the front line - in two very different jobs. Reverend Lance Lukin is currently supporting seafarers stuck at our ports, and Violet Clapham has been delivering pēpi throughout the pandemic.
Both Violet and Reverend Lukin have been thrown a lot of challenges this year - their stories are a timely reminder of the amazing people in our community who are stepping up and supporting those who are doing it tough right now. Thank you for all you do!
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who got involved in Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 this year - we've got a challenge for you and we hope you'll help us out...
Arohanui,
All Right? and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
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Stuck at sea with no real end in sight
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Some seafarers stuck at New Zealand ports have spent more than a year at sea, with limited connection to the outside world – and they need our help.
Mission to Seafarers' Oceania Regional Director Reverend Lance Lukin is supporting the thousands of seafarers arriving who cannot get home because of COVID-19 maritime restrictions and border closures.
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The Mission to Seafarers’ have been designated as essential workers, providing welfare support to crews in ports around the country.
“I’m very aware that the mental health of seafarers is particularly fraught and that is due in part because crew changes just aren’t able to occur,” says Reverend Lukin.
With crews unable to get home and with limited communication with their families, Lukin and his team are growing increasingly concerned over the mental health of the seafarers – many of whom are from India and the Philippines.
Reverend Lukin says that globally, and following discussions with his UK and Canadian counterparts, there are stories emerging of seafarers harming themselves in order to get off ships.
“Most of them are from countries that are being ravaged by COVID so they are really anxious about that.”
To find out how you can support Reverend Lukin in his mission to support these men and women, check out our full story here.
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Ripple effects of Covid impacting pregnancies
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Midwife, Violet Clapham, says an increase in anxiety and depression among her clients can be put down to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Canterbury-based midwife works with an average of four clients a month, and has been busy delivering babies ever since the pandemic hit our shores earlier this year.
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“With any conversation in 2020, there is something around Covid. It’s just front and centre for a lot of people,” she says.
From her experience, it’s evident that the pandemic has and continues to have a negative impact on the mental health of hapū māmā, as well as new māmā.
Antenatal or postnatal depression is defined as a major depressive episode that occurs during pregnancy, or within 4 to 12 weeks of giving birth.
While still in the midst of the pandemic, we are yet to fully know how the “ripple effects” of the pandemic will impact babies in utero and their families, says Violet.
Her focus – as it always is - is very much on boosting the wellbeing of the family/ whānau unit.
Violet says there are easy things we can all do to support hapū Mama or new Mums, if they’re struggling at this time.
“It’s about just actually hearing them, being there, or if a woman is feeling isolated, being there on the phone. Thinking about the little things that can make a difference, like going round and hanging out a load of washing, doing the dishes or sending a text message, can make a big difference.”
Read the full story on Violet's experience here.
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Choose the winner of our photo challenge...
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A massive thank you to all of you who took part in the #MHAWNZ Wellbeing Photo Challenge!
We've now got two photos from the five daily winners, plus a wildcard, and we need YOU to help us pick our grand prize winner! VOTE HERE for your favourite to win a Nikon Z 50 Mirrorless camera (RRP $1,899)!
Judge's comments below:
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HORSE UNDER STARS, Emma
This combines a little bit of magic in that wonderful setting. I like the connection between horse and rider, and of course you can’t beat being out under the stars to appreciate the beauty of what is around us, at any time of day or night. It also reminds me of the quote ‘when it’s dark, look for stars’.
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DAD DAB, David
I LOVE the family doing the dab – it shows connection, fun and whānau, all in the great New Zealand outdoors. Brilliant energy and story. This photo makes us smile and laugh – and we all need this in our lives, especially in this difficult year.
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ESTHER'S WILDCARD, Jess
A really tough decision as so many moments have been hashtagged that reflect MHAW brilliantly. I love the energy, the light, the reflections and the gorgeous sunburst too. These elements portray a sense of freedom and hope, set against the backdrop of our beautiful New Zealand coastline. The sunburst is a reminder that things don’t have to be perfect – in life or in photographs. Stunning!
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Finding peace during a pandemic - it is possible!
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2020 has been one heck of a year. We've all seen the memes willing 2021 to roll around but did you know times like these can actually make us stronger and more resilient?
Dr Laurie Santos is a Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman Residential College at Yale University. She also hosts the popular podcast, The Happiness Lab.
We loved what she had to say on the 'power of post-traumatic growth'.
"Things that might feel awful right now are actually going to make you stronger in the long run. They're going to allow you to have more meaning in your life, the data suggests. They're going to allow you to form stronger social relationships. They're going to make you happier in an odd way and stronger on the other side. And you might not be able to see it yet, but having hope that that is the case, because the science suggests it's really the case, can be very powerful."
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Not all right?
For many of us, these new challenges and the loss of our regular routines is causing stress. We want you to know that however you’re feeling, there is someone to talk to and free help available. It’s all right to reach out if you need to - we all need a bit of support from time-to-time.
Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor anytime - it’s free and completely confidential. You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543354 or text HELP to 4357. Check out this page on the Mental Health Foundation’s website if you'd like some further advice on how to stay mentally well during this time.
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Until next time, stay well Aotearoa.
And remember, we'll get through this - together.
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