Through educating ourselves, we can all work to educate others.
Discrimination is one of the biggest barriers to recovery from an experience with mental distress.
Striking up a conversation with someone who is going through a tough time can feel awkward. Having that conversation takes courage. Listening and hearing what they’re saying takes patience. Knowing where to go for help takes experience.
We’ve developed some tools to show how you can tautoko or support someone experiencing mental distress.
Mō tātou katoa - It’s about all of us.
Ending prejudice and discrimination against people with mental distress matters to everyone
It is illegal to treat people with mental distress or illness differently at work, yet we know it is still happening. There are still barriers to getting into or keeping work but together we can end this discrimination. Treat everyone with respect.
Our communities play a big part in upholding the mana and human rights of people with experience of mental distress in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are working to change attitudes in our health system and in our education system.
The Mental Health Act outlines how someone is legally assessed for and receives compulsory mental health treatment. It is being repealed and replaced at the moment, and we are striving to make it free from discrimination.
Media portrayals of mental distress affect the way we see and treat people living with those experiences. The language, framing and imagery the media uses to tell stories plays a key part in this. Journalists and editors hold power to influence public opinion and how we treat each other. Through their stories, media outlets can either influence positive changes in our thinking, or reinforce harmful myths and discrimination. Download and print the media guidelines, our factsheets and checklist.
Join our Media Watch Facebook page to help increase inclusion and reduce discrimination against those living with mental distress.
