Copy
View this email in your browser

14 October 2020

Kia ora <<First Name>>


Are you ready to go pink for Pink Shirt Day 2020? This Friday, October 16, we will be wearing pink to speak up and stand up against bullying.

We often think of school yard bullying, but in reality bullying takes lots of forms and happens in lots of places. In this edition, we're bringing your attention to the bullying that is impacting our amazing 'masked heroes'.

Everyday our essential workforce do incredible mahi to keep us all safe. Unfortunately, we're hearing more and more stories of essential workers being treated unfairly - of being turned away from their hairdresser, gym or mum and bubs session once it's known they are working at the 'frontline'. Some are even changing their job description on social media for fear of backlash.

As Suzy, the security guard we talked with this week says, our essential workers are our 'masked heroes'. This Pink Shirt Day - and beyond - please call out bullying where you see it. And when you see an essential worker, say thanks!

Arohanui,

All Right? and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Our masked hero on the frontline

If there is one thing Suzy the security guard enjoys doing, it’s making people laugh.
 
For 12 hours each day, Suzy (pictured with her daughter) stands or sits in position at the entrance to an exercise area in one of Christchurch’s managed isolation facilities.

“I get the privilege of spending my days with our guests,” says Suzy.

All Right? first learnt about Suzy, when Max and Kara Phillips shared their love story. Kara recalled the advice she had received from ‘Susy the security guard’ on day two of her stay in the MIF.
 
“She asked me ‘how often is it that you don’t have to think about work for two weeks’. She told me to give myself permission to rest and to surrender to it,” says Kara.
 
It’s this message that has been resonating with all those guests lucky enough to meet Suzy – the humble and kind security guard.

Suzy hears the stories of many of our returning New Zealanders and is all too aware of the stressful situations many have come from or are preparing to face.
 
“It has been hard hearing those stories – and there have been times when you just want to give someone a hug. I really feel for these people who are going through so much and I can’t do much for them. But if I can make them smile or laugh, then that’s something.”

Read the full story on Suzy and how she is supporting returning New Zealanders here.

Testing times at the frontline

Pauline’s Story

If this pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that our essential workers are exactly that – absolutely essential to us as a nation. Like Suzy, Pauline is one of those on the frontline working tirelessly, putting in the mahi to ensure we can all get through this together.

On the front line, staff at COVID-19 testing stations have seen months of long hours and tough days, giving up time with family and putting their own health at risk to keep our nation safe. 

To all our essential workers: this video is for you – a reminder to look after yourselves, keep an eye on your mental health and make time to talk to someone if you’re feeling stressed or down.

A special thanks to 
Mana Pasifika for sharing Pauline's story

Stand up - be an upstander

Pink Shirt Day is all about standing up, speaking out and putting an end to bullying.

But sometimes it's hard to know what to actually do when you see someone being bullied. Research tells us that intervention stops bullying in its tracks. You can make a huge difference when you use words and actions to help someone being bullied. It's called being an Upstander.

Take a look at the Five Upstander Actions that each of us can take to make a powerful difference and create a stronger, safer community:
  1. Tautoko/support the person being bullied
  2. Distract - interrupt the bullying
  3. Call bullying behaviour out
  4. Leave and act
  5. Get some other help
Head here to find out more about how you can be an Upstander this Pink Shirt Day and beyond.

Pink Shirt Day activities to do at home!

Sparklers have a whole heap of Pink Shirt Day activities, to get tamariki thinking about kindness, friendship and their strengths. These can be done in the classroom or at home with the whole whānau. 

The courage behind standing up

Liang Cui actively stands up against racist discrimination. She’s seen – and been on the receiving end of – too many examples of it over the four years she’s been living in Wellington.

Liang’s experiences with racist discrimination have shown her the “necessity of speaking out”, but she acknowledges that to do so “takes courage”.

“My decision to speak publicly may be met by more attacks, or it may be in vain.

“Or it may in some small way contribute to the current momentum against racism, both here in New Zealand and around the world.”

You can read Liang's full story here.

Not all right?

For many of us, these new challenges and the loss of our regular routines is causing stress. This can really erode our wellbeing over time. While it’s important to remember to do the little things that help recharge us, it’s also important to know 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.

Not subscribed to our newsletter?

Sign Up Now
Until next time, stay well Aotearoa.
And remember, we'll get through this - together.
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Copyright © 2020 All Right?, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.