COMMUNICATIONS

New Mental Health Resource Launched

A new resource called "Respect Costs Nothing - Aroha Ki Te Tangata" has been launched under the Healthy Christchurch banner by the Canterbury District Health Board, the Mental Health Foundation and the Like Minds Like Mine initiative.

Launched this month during Mental Health Awareness Week , "Respect Costs Nothing" provides simple tips on promoting, protecting and improving the lives of people in Christchurch who experience mental illness.

The resource was developed in response to "The Respect Costs Nothing" survey results which were presented to Healthy Christchurch signatories last year and is designed for use by work places, organisations and individuals.

Kathryn Cannan, Coordinator Healthy Christchurch says the resource covers what can be done to create an inclusive city.

"It looks at how we can ensure our own organisation's policies and programmes have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of those with mental illness, and it contains information for us as individuals about how we can make a difference outside our organisations," says Kathryn.

Among the advice is:
- Use respectful language - what would we be happy to hear ourselves?

- Ask 'how would I want to be treated?'

- Mental illness is common. Whether or not we realise it, we will already know people who experience it.

- Avoid making assumptions about the impact of another person's label, for example 'that person is being treated for depression, so they will be unreliable.

- Even if people seem different, we can take a chance to get to know them, for example say 'hello' or be open to sitting beside them.

- Learn more about mental illness - ideally from those who experience it.

- Talk openly about mental illness - it is common and you may liberate others to feel comfortable talking about it too.

- Complain about unbalanced media reporting and television imagery around mental illness.

Kathryn says everything we do to make a difference, counts. "Every interaction with those we meet can help build or diminish the mental well- being of everyone involved."

The "Respect Costs Nothing" resource is available through Healthy Christchurch healthychristchurch@cph.co.nz or 379 9480 ext 820 or 823.

ENDS