Artwork with a positive message
New Plymouth may have become the first city in New Zealand to tackle the country’s mental health crisis in the form of a public art installation.
The installation features A
Mental WOF and I AM (So) Worth It: A guide to being awesome,
which were both created by Taranaki artist and wellbeing advocate Paul Rangiwahia.
It now stands proudly outside Puke Ariki Library in the centre of New Plymouth and was officially unveiled on Monday.
‘‘It is progressive, for me that was the best thing. The council was so open about it and what a great thing to gift to the city,’’ Rangiwahia said.
‘‘It’s a little bit surreal to see it
out here. I’m just so excited,’’ he said.
The installation was sponsored by Beach Energy and gifted to the city. Rangiwahia didn’t believe there was anything else like it in other cities but hoped it would catch on. A Mental WOF, which Rangiwahia created as an art print and has been sold all over the
world, features a list of 45 things to do to keep your mental health in check.
In his darkest hour he found himself writing down these messages, which eventually manifested into the print.
The list includes things such as don’t judge or compare yourself, have quiet time, stay connected to nature, and forgive.
This year the Government introduced a $1.9 billion Wellbeing Budget aiming to address the mental health crisis.
Although New Zealand has been voted one of the happiest countries in the world, statistics show the country has the highest mortality rate in the developed world for people aged 10 to 24, with around 35 deaths per 100,000 people, driven by youth suicide and the road toll.
Rangiwahia said his focus was to get conversations started and break down the stigma around mental health.
‘‘I think it’s important for all cities to look at something like this. There’s nothing negative on there. It can only be a benefit to the community.’’
The fact that it was permanent made Rangiwahia very proud.
His next goal is to launch journals in schools featuring A
Mental WOF to get the mental health conversation started early.