In New Zealand, we are marking Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from 6 –12 October, 2025. It is a nationwide event that reminds us how vital it is to look after our wellbeing. This year’s theme is “Top Up Together”. The aim is to give us the awareness that mental health is not a solo journey, but that we need help from others.
“Topping up” has to do with intentionally adding to ourselves or recharging ourselves. Doing it together involves making it a shared journey with others, where we can ask for help and also support others in a safe space. This can be done in families, communities, workplaces, and networks through various activities like volunteering, cultural practices, participating in events and other forms of social activities, seeking professional support, or simply talking openly to someone about your struggles instead of carrying the burden alone.
At Fikun Trust, we believe that mental health is important, and we believe that group and community support helps make it easy and attainable for every individual in the group or community.
As we mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage you to prioritise your mental health. Also check on those around you and show them that you care. Who is that person you can lean on? And can someone else lean on you? Let’s top up together!
Resources:
https://mentalhealth.org.nz/our-campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
https://mhaw.nz/