Focus on wellbeing and mental health is very timely

Formanynewzealanders, 2020 has been a year that has tested us in somany ways. Dealing with Covid-19 and the impacts of it, we’ve been hit broadly, whether it’s our finances, our physical health or our job security— we allknowsomeone whohas suffered because of it.

That will of course put a lot of people into stressful situations as they experience feelings of fear and uncertainty.

More importantly, all of these issues can have amajor negative impact on our mental health.

Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week, which continues until Sunday and is a chance for people to build on what we’ve been doing to ensure weare looking after ourselves.

Theweekis moretimely than ever in 2020, given all the transformationswehave all had to navigate ourwaythrough.

This year’s theme is Reimagine Wellbeing Together— He Tirohanga Anamata, which is aimed at encouraging us do do just that— during Covid-19 and beyond.

In today’s paperwelook athow stress, fear and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic are having a big impact on workplaces.

Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson said thiswasevident from thedemand on services, feedback from communities and research.

It’s to be expected given the massive changes we’ve faced— we are onlyhumanafter all.

But what Covid-19 and the related stresses have also brought with it aremoreconversations about wellbeing and mental health — and that has to be a good thing, right?

I for one have never seen the mental health conversation be had moreopenly than it isnowand I hope that continues.

Let’s continue to discuss this issue so anyone feelingdownfeels safe enough to speakupand seek help.

The impacts of Covid-19 will be around for a long time and if our mental health isn’t protected, how can any other part of us be okay?