Korero an effective tool in mental health
Looking after mental health is a passion for Wellington yoga teacher Jase TePatu.
He wants to provide New Zealand men with the tools to look after their mental health and understands the importance of looking after your state of mind.
Four of his male friends have committed suicide over the past few years and TePatu has gone through his own mental health struggles after injuries halted his dance career.
It prompted him to set up an event called Brothers In Arms at his yoga studio in Johnston St.
‘‘Brothers In Arms is a cry out really, to all brothers to come together. It’s a korero, it’s a talking piece,’’ he said.
TePatu has assembled three speakers to share their stories: life coach Joel Bouzaid; father, yoga teacher and business manager Shane Hamill; and director of Ignite Group, Mal Winnie.
TePatu said there were many different ways of dealing with poor mental health – for him, after he gave up dancing, he found his own methods.
‘‘I’m in the business of providing some tools to deal with stuff, teaching yoga and mediation.’’
However, he was aware that might not work for everyone and invited the speakers to talk about the tools they use.
‘‘I have seen people that focus a lot on their body and that’s all well and good but it’s the state of your mind that’s important too.’’
There was an attitude among many men that crying was seen as weak and they were meant to ‘‘suck it up’’. That sort of attitude needed to change, he said.
‘‘When do [men] have an opportunity to talk?’’
He hoped that after the speakers had finished talking, the audience would stick around the studio for a cup of tea or drink and spend time chatting to one another.
TePatu said, especially in light of the death of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, he wanted men to seek out support if they were struggling. Tonight’s Brothers In Arms event starts at 7.30pm at the Power Living studio in Johnston St, Wellington. Entry is by koha, with all proceeds going to the Youthline charity.