Mental health expo for H¯awera
A series of mental health expos are being rolled out across Taranaki, the first of which will be held in Ha¯ wera next week.
The events, which are being run by Supporting Families in Mental Illness Taranaki, aim to provide support, education and advocacy to families and wha¯nau supporting someone affected by mental illness and addiction.
‘‘Everyone has a role in promoting and maintaining mental health and the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities is everyone’s concern,’’ expo organiser and Supporting Families in Mental Illness Taranaki area manager Justin Clinton-Gohdes said. ‘‘There’s no format and no pressure or formal presentations, just people mingling and providing information about local resources for mental illness, mental health and wellbeing.’’
The first expo will be held at the Ha¯ wera Club on Wednesday May 16 from 6pm to 8pm. If people miss it they can attend another in Stratford on August 15, at the War Memorial Centre, or in New Plymouth in the second week of October. .
This will be the second time the expos have taken place, the first Mental Health Expo was held over Mental Health Awareness Week in October last year.
Clinton-Gohdes said the expos were open to all ages and would include displays by local organisations that support mental health initiatives..
Organisations participating will include Careerforce, Ha¯wera Peer Support Group, International Association of Suicide Prevention, Nga¯ruahine Iwi Health Services, Nga¯ti Ruanui Healthcare, Pathways, Problem Gambling Foundation, Progress to Health, Rural Support Trust, Taranaki Retreat, Te Ara Pae Trust, Tui Ora and Workwise.
More information is available on the Supporting Families in Mental Illness Taranaki facebook page or by emailing info@sftaranaki.org.nz or calling 06 757 9300.