2009
December
Like Minds, Like Mine newsletter survey for readers
Like Minds is interested in finding out whether the Like Minds newsletter meets readers needs, and how we can improve it. Readers views are important to us, so we would appreciate our newsletter readers taking the time to complete our survey by 12 February 2010. The survey is set up online and can be accessed here.
If you have are unable to access the survey using this link please email likeminds "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
November
Legally speaking...
Depression and stigma associated with mental illness are topics recently scrutinised by the law profession. A series of articles is featured in the NZ Law Society's e-newsletter LawTalk. And National Radio's Kathryn Ryan talks to John Marshall QC, President of NZ Law Society about both issues.
October
Walking to Africa tops Nielsen BookScan bestselling fiction list a week after launch
Award-winning New Zealand author Jessica Le Bas's poetry collection, Walking to Africa, is now the number one best-selling New Zealand book of fiction. The announcement comes just one week after the collection's launch. Walking to Africa is a story told through a mother's eyes as she follows her young daughter's descent into severe depression and through the strange, new and, sometimes, frightening world of mental health care.
Walking to Africa was published by Auckland University Press and the writing of the collection funded by a 2007 NZ Mental Health Media Grant. The collection is available through all good bookstores.
September
Stepping out of the Shadows: Insights into self-stigma and madness
Stepping out of the Shadows is a book of articles, essays and personal accounts about the effects of the self-stigma associated with mental illness. It has a worldwide audience and is the first book of this kind to be published on this topic.
Self-stigma is a relatively new topic for the mental health and social sectors and it is hoped that this book will appeal to a broad cross section of people from all walks of life.
"‘Stigma', according to the New Collins Shorter English Dictionary, is a ‘distinguishing mark of social disgrace'.
"Why then would anyone apply such a mark to themselves; in what circumstances might it occur; and with what results?
"This collection of essays and personal accounts considers these questions and provides clues and answers."
-Judi Clements, Foreword, Stepping out of the Shadows
Edited by Dr Debbie Peterson and Sarah Gordon
Foreword by Judi Clements, CEO Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Contributors: Dr Debbie Peterson, Mary O'Hagan, Sarah Gordon, Dr Lynne Pere, Anne Helm, Vito Malo, Dean Manley, Ivan Yeo, Sarah O'Connor, Dennis Duerr, Niki Smith, Ruth Jackson and Alex Barnes.
For more information contact: Kerri-June Clayton kerri-june "at" caseconsulting.co.nz
General Manager, Case Consulting (04) 385 2103
REVIEWS
This thing called stigma has two heads. Public stigma represents the prejudice and discrimination of mental illness evident in the general population. Self-stigma occurs when people with mental illness internalize these prejudices. Research has started to take a look at self-stigma; researchers of this ilk would benefit greatly from the messages in Peterson and Gordon's books. Many of the authors, people who have all struggled with self-stigma, recount their stories in poignant fashion. Chapters are full of narratives in the person's voice. Consider comments from Lynn Pere: "I believed what other people told me... Internally it kills us when we start believing what other people are saying." (p 76). The editors did a nice job recruiting a diverse group of authors and highlight their messages by escaping blocked type and offer what looks to be natural hand writing. Books like these are important not only for helping readers understand self-stigma, but also as the first step in developing ways to discredit it. A keen outline for this task can be had from the stories presented here.
Patrick Corrigan, Psy.D Institute of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology
This is an excellent book, breaking new ground in our international understanding of self-stigma: the internalised shame, low expectations and ‘otherness' that can blight the lives of people who experience mental illness. Both personal narratives and research findings are presented which show that self-stigma is caused not by mental illness, but by the societies in which we live.
Stigma is being challenged in international, national and local campaigns. But these top-down efforts are not enough to change societies. The fact that recovery is open to all became clear only when people with personal experience of recovery from, and with, mental illness found a voice. Similarly, the journey to stigma-free communities will only be possible when people with lived experience of stigma are heard. This book starts the process, and will be widely read.
Mike Slade, Author of Personal Recovery and Mental Illness, September 2009.
NZ On Screen website features positive stories about mental illness
This Road to Recovery programme in the Open Door series follows a group of people who have successfully conquered their mental illness and are now contributing to society. They talk about what caused their health problems and what it is that keeps them healthy. Creativity is a common theme. On their road to recovery many discovered hidden talents with which they now enrich their lives and the lives of others.
Seclusion circles series art installation now in Auckland
2008 media grant recipient Kristian Lomath is launching his art installation seclusion circle series at the Depot Artspace in Devonport on Saturday 12 September. The installation is a series of twelve, three-metre-high, double-sided, painted panels with three dimensional art pieces and includes filmed narratives from the artists talking about their personal experiences of mental illness and their art. The exhibition will be in town until Thursday 24 September. Exhibition flyer and media release.
Online bookings available for a challenging new play about self-injury
Wanaka-based Silk Tent Theatre Company are taking their thought-provoking theatre piece, Girl with no Words - listening to the language of cutting, on tour to key New Zealand venues in October. The multi-media production uses songs, poetry, film and visual art to tell the moving story of a young woman's experience of self-injury as well as the reactions from her family, healthcare professionals and the wider community. It explores a difficult subject with energy, imagination, humour and empathy. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased in advance at www.patronbase.com/ticketfest.
Girl with no Words poster and media release .
Out of Their Minds website - new look, new perspectives
"Sanity is the container madness sits in; they are made for each other like a cup is made to hold drink. Sanity stops madness from spilling everywhere. Madness stops sanity from confining us to the tyranny of the ordinary." Mary O'Hagan
www.outoftheirminds.co.nz continues to explore the value in experience of mental illness with the launch of the second round of artists and thinkers on their new look website.
Feature interviews from Mary O'Hagan, Ben Cragg, Shona Clarke and Tim Hagan join the first round of interviews by Judith White, Gareth Edwards and Egan Bidois.
"People commonly view mental distress through skewed portrayals shown in popular media. Ideas of secretive, finicky introverts sidestepping cracks denigrate a person's real experience." Tim Hagan
Go to www.outoftheirminds.co.nz to view new interviews.
For more information contact Mind & Body's Like Minds Project Leader, sam RB hanna (likeminds "at" mindandbody.co.nz). Tel: (09) 630 5909 ext. 870 or mobile 027 655 2770
August
2009 NZ Mental Health Media Grants category two recipients announced
Four people have been named as recipients of the category two NZ Mental Health Media Grants - singer/songwriter Sam RB Hanna, artist/musician Stephen McCurdy, author Graham Bishop and playwright Michelanne Forster.
Sam will be producing a digital EP, Stephen is working on an art exhibition, Graham will be completing a book about experiences of depression and Michelanne Forster will develop a one man show with actor and co-writer Paul Barrett to address the stigma and discrimination surrounding Tourette's syndrome.
All projects will be valuable resources in increasing understanding associated with mental distress.
Paddling back to health in South Auckland
TVNZ news profiles a south Auckland mental health provider having spectacular success with a new traditional canoeing programme and addressing stigma and discrimination along the way.
Clients like Steven Tutuvanu, who earlier this year could not bring himself to face the world, are finding a new lease of life.
"Just being on the lake is really nice when you glide through the waters on the canoe," says Tutuvanu.
Mental health provider Blue Dove is finding its programme is a hit with Pacific Islanders in particular.
Although the pilot programme is still fairly new, it is off to a promising start.
When it started three months ago, only three people showed up. Now it is a different story.
The group of avid paddlers is rapidly growing and there are now plans to expand the programme.
2008 Media Grant recipient Amanda Cropp's North & South article now online
Amanda Cropp, recipient of the 2008 Media Grant for journalism projects, has just had her first article published in the August issue of North & South magazine. The article focuses on refugee and migrant mental health, and looks in detail at the issues and challenges faced by these New Zealand communities.
The PDF of Amanda's article is available online, courtesy of North & South.
2009 NZ Mental Health Media Grants category one recipients announced
New media producer, Gareth Watkins from Wellington and Southern Rural Life journalist, Yvonne O'Hara from Alexandra in Central Otago are this year's recipients in category one of the NZ Mental Health Media Grants.
Gareth's project is a series of five digital stories around mental health issues in the lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex community, while Yvonne is producing an eight-page supplement dedicated to rural mental health.
Both projects will be valuable resources in reducing stigma and discrimination and increasing understanding associated with mental distress.
May
Mind and Body supports play about mental illness - where ART IMITATES LIFE 
A Mind and Body mental health worker Taimi Allan draws on personal experience as lead actor - a challenging emotional role - in Deep Blue Sea.
The play, written in the 1950s by English playwright Terrance Rattigan, is about an emotional response to the suicide of a former lover.
An Auckland production of the play is running this month, from 9 - 20 June, at Titrangi's Lopdell House, and is supported by Mind and Body Consultants as part of its Auckland regional Like Minds, Like Mine service aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
For more details about the Allan, the play, performances and tickets, read the the Deep Blue Sea press release
2009 NZ Mental Health Media Grants are now closed
Applications for the 2009 Media Grants are now closed. The year's recipients will be announced on 31 July 2009. For more information go to www.mediagrants.org.nz
More than four in five experience discrimination
More than four in five people who have disclosed an experience of a mental illness have been discriminated against, a new poll by the Mental Health Foundation has found.
Eighty-two per cent of respondents say that they have experienced discrimination, with 30% reporting discrimination in more than one of the areas identified by the online poll.
The area with the highest levels of discrimination was found to be insurance, with 17.5% reporting unfair treatment by insurance companies. This was closely followed by discrimination by friends and family, which was experienced by 16%. Fifteen per cent had experienced discrimination associated with employment.
A small amount of people had experienced discrimination associated with child custody and immigration.
The Foundation also received feedback from people who say they have experienced unfair treatment outside of the areas included in the poll, ie, rental agreements, mortgage applications and dating.
Reminder – only days left to apply for a New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant
There is only a short time left for journalists, artists, creative writers, musicians and performers to apply for a 2009 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant.
Grants of up to $12,000 are being offered for mental health based projects that can help reduce stigma and discrimination and increase understanding for people with experience of mental illness.
The closing date for 2009 applications is Friday 29 May.
If you have any queries, please email: info "at" mediagrants.org.nz
Like Minds supports comedian Chris Brain
Mind and Body Consultants is delighted to have this opportunity to support Chris Brain in the NZ International Comedy Festival with a 2009 Like Minds Like Mine RETHiNK Grant.
New Zealand's comedians' comedian is staging his first ever solo show, A Better Place, during this year's NZ International Comedy Festival.
Chris, 2009 Billy T Award Nominee, is in A Better Place after years of living on the fringes. Having experienced depression since his teens, Chris has found writing and performing comedy is his saviour and his cross to bear.
Read more about Chris and find out where to buy tickets for the Auckland and Wellington preformances of A Better Place.
April
Rev Imoa Setefano on 'One In Five'
Rev Imoa Setefano spoke at the recent Like Minds National Provider Seminar about the challenges of being a husband, father, and student pastor with experience of mental illness.
His presentation was recorded and played on Radio New Zealand’s disability show ‘One in Five’ on Sunday 12 April 2009. A podcast of the show is now available.
March
Two young people talk through their experience of mental illness
From Radio New Zealand National
One in Five - a weekly magazine and information programme about the issues and experience of disability
Listen to Mike Gourley in conversation with Jess Senior and Mary Dennis - two young people who live with the labels and tags associated with mental illness. They are associated with the Wellink Trust. This is the road travelled by those with the lived experiences summed up in that phrase, mental illness.
February
Like Minds documentaries to screen on Tagata Pasifika in early March
Mark your diaries! Starting from Sunday 15th March, Tagata Pasifika (TV One) will screen a two-part documentary-style programme that looks at stigma and discrimination faced by Pacific people with experience of mental illness.
The programme - created by and for Pacific people - aims to promote understanding of these issues in New Zealand Pacific communities and the wider Pacific region. Its development was guided by Fuimaono Karl Pulotu Endemann and Vito Nonumalo who worked closely with Draft FCB and TVNZ.
Each half-hour episode features three Pacific people telling their stories about mental illness, and how friends, family, and employers have supported them. People who share their experiences include Karlo Mila, Maria Peteru, Seulata Fui-Mauu, Vito Nonumalo, Andrew Puhiatau, and Rev. Fei Taule'ale'ausomai.
The programme will screen on Tagata Pasifika, TV One, at the following times:
Episode one: Sunday 15th March at 8am
Episode two: Sunday 22nd March at 8.30am
It will also screen on Maori Television on the following dates:
Episode one: Saturday 21 March
Episode two: Saturday 29 March
Repeats on Tagata Pasifika:
Episode one: Sunday 17 May
Episode two: Sunday 24 May
Episode one: Thursday 7 Jan 2010
Episode two: Sunday 10 Jan 2010
Episode one: Thursday 14 Jan 2010
Episode two: Sunday 17 Jan 2010
The programme will also be available online on www.tvnzondemand.co.nz, and will be broadcast in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, and on two television stations in Samoa.
New Waikato radio show
The national Like Minds, Like Mine mental health campaign now has a local face. Community Radio Hamilton volunteer broadcasters Aaron Woolley and Jacqualine Tauranga are set to launch the Like Minds, Like Mine radio show at 1pm on Tuesday, 24th February.
The weekly radio show is a collaboration between mental health organisations Te Korowai Hauora O Hauraki, and Progress to Health. It aims to challenge discriminatory attitudes towards mental health, and provide inspiration for those affected by mental illness through a mix of factual information and personal testimonies.
Tune in to Waikato Community Radio Hamilton 1206AM/106.7FM on Tuesdays at 1pm, or download shows from the Community Radio website.
New website!
A brand new website www.outoftheirminds.co.nz produced by Mind and Body Consultants, features successful artists, performers and thinkers with experience of mental distress, exploring the value of their experiences, and what comes out of their minds.
The twist is that the artists actually interview themselves. Award winning author, Judith White, interviews herself in a written exchange between her and some impatient characters from her latest unfinished novel.
"Madness is an experience utterly unique to any individual, so it makes sense people speak about it entirely on their own terms. Plus it's more interesting that way. And that's kind of the point - madness and mental distress can of course be really tough, we hear about that all the time, but there's more to it than that, and that's what this site will help show people." says Graham Panther from Mind and Body.
If you'd like to contribute to this site with a profile of your own and you think you fit the bill, contact sam on sam "at" mindandbody.co.nz
$10,000 worth of grants!
Mind and Body is looking to support unique and innovative projects that challenge people to rethink their ideas about 'mental illness'.
The RETHiNK Grants are allocated annually to Auckland-based initiatives from an overall pool of $10,000. The grants are open to both groups and individuals.
The grants are a new funding source for innovative strategies, projects, activities or events that encourage people to rethink their attitudes toward 'mental illness' and people who have experienced it. These grants will fund projects that take a creative, 'outside the box' approach to the issue.
Applications close 4.00pm 31 March.
For further information please contact: Sam RB sam "at" mindandbody.co.nz or phone: (09) 630 5909 ext 871
