Communities

community

What to do in your community

Whether it’s a sports club, school, religious group, marae, or your own book club, you have the potential to support recovery and inclusion.

What can your group do?

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Most people with experience of mental illness will recover. However, discrimination is one of the biggest barriers.

There are many ways your community or community group can make people feel more included.

  • Get to know your neighbours and other locals.
  • Actively challenge views based on prejudice and stereotypes.
  • Invite people from local mental health organisations to your group/activity.
  • Find out how your group/activity can support recovery and inclusion.
  • Offer free or introductory sessions for your group.
  • Let people bring a support person if they need to.
  • Offer flexible attendance to enable people to stay connected with the group.
  • Encourage people in the group to get to know each other and introduce new people.
  • Talk about mental illness and distress positively – see the tips on the Media page.
  • When someone seems upset, ask how you can help.

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