2014
December
This month, Kai Xin Xing Dong is releasing nine stories about people who hear voices.
The MHF has worked with Mind and Body to write the stories from interviews with people with lived experience of hearing voices and psychosis. The stoires focus on recovery and debunking myths.
We interviewed people of different genders, ages and ethnicities, and their stories cover a range of experiences all highlighting different aspects of support.
The stories have been written in English and Chinese, and we will post three a week for the next three weeks.
May
Stories of self-stigma and the path to positive energy
People are speaking out about the stigma associated with mental illness in a series of stories by Chinese mental health programme, Kai Xin Xing Dong (KXXD).
KXXD – an education programme that works to counter the stigma and discrimination related to mental illness in the Chinese community – has launched its latest campaign, which is focusing on self-stigma. This is when people internalise and start believing negative messages others have about mental illness, and is a significant issue in the Chinese community.
Seven people of Chinese descent have been interviewed for the KXXD project, which is called Positive Energy as this is a popular concept in Chinese culture that suggests balance and wellbeing, and can be viewed as the opposite of self-stigma. Read the full press release and check out the stories on the Positive Energy page.
April
Game-style tool to combat depression in youth
SPARX, an online game-style tool to help young people develop skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed has been launched this week. The self-help e-therapy tool teaches young people the key skills they need to help combat depression and anxiety, the Ministry of Health says. It was developed by a team of researchers from the University of Auckland, and has been made available for free online through the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.
SPARX uses proven cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques in a youth-friendly game format to teach young people how to cope with negative thoughts and feelings, and think in a more balanced way. As well as the SPARX e-therapy programme, the website also offers a mood quiz to help young people identify depression and information on where to get help. A partnership with Youthline and Lifeline has also been established to provide clinical back up support to SPARX users. The phone line 0508 4 SPARX is staffed by professional counsellors. Read more about SPARX on the SPINZ website.
SPARX is available at https://sparx.org.nz
March
Join New Zealand's biggest celebration of neighbourliness
New Zealand’s biggest celebration of neighbourliness, Neighbours Day Aotearoa is back on the 29-30 of March to once again turn strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods.
Over the Neighbours Day weekend, thousands of neighbours around New Zealand will come together and create or strengthen relationships that will continue to enrich their lives long after the weekend has ended.
“Neighbourliness isn’t just a once-a-year thing,” says Neighbours Day Project Manager Kimberley Cleland. “The more we practise it, the stronger our communities grow. Neighbours Day is an amazing opportunity to celebrate neighbourliness, to meet the people we live alongside, and create healthy, resilient, and fun communities.”
This has major effects on the wellbeing of individuals. People who feel isolated are more likely to experience depression, have less immunity to disease, have disrupted sleep, and feel more stressed.
“We can all make an effort to connect with our local communities,” says Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Judi Clements. “Connected communities aren’t just stronger and more resilient; they’re healthier – mentally and physically.”
The Neighbours Day website features NDA success stories to inspire New Zealanders to participate in Neighbours Day. Participants who sign up through the website will be sent a resource pack with lots of great ideas to organise an NDA celebration that works for their neighbourhood. The campaign also use Facebook to connect with Kiwis and share NDA messages, ideas, and inspiration.
Neighbours Day Aotearoa is a joint initiative of Lifewise, The Mental Health Foundation, Inspiring Communities, and Neighbourhood Support.
Join Neighbours Day at www.neighboursday.org.nz
Chinese community asked to reconsider disability
Chinese parents support service trust is embarking a journey to ask the Chinese community to Think Differently about disability.
“The unlimited love” is the title of the campaign to change attitudes and behaviour that limit opportunities for disabled Chinese people in Auckland. The campaign is funded through the Ministry of Social Development, Social Campaigns Team Family and Community Services.
The campaign will utilise Chinese media, such as Chinese Voice Radio AM936, Skykiwi and Chinese Herald to introduce a series of local and national disability services. These include, Autism NZ Inc, Blind Foundation, Deaf Radio, Circability, Elevate Christian Disability Trust, Mental Health Foundation’s Kai Xin Xing Dong project, Independent Living Services and many more. Beside that, Philip Patston and Dr.Huhana Hickey also shared their inspiration about their work in the disability sector.
Eva the CEO of CPSST hopes by introducing disability services Chinese people can gain an understanding of the services available for them.
"We hope more dialogue among Chinese community about disability by introducing the disability services."
According to The New Zealand Disability Strategy one in five people, in New Zealand report having a long-term impairment. This can be born, incidents, health issues or require later in life.
(The Unlimited Love has been running on every Saturday for 13 weeks on AM 936 from 10am to 11am).
January
Chinese volunteers needed for sexual health research
Auckland University doctoral candidate and Chinese immigrant Alex Li is looking for Chinese people to be involved with his research project.
"For my doctoral research, I'm primarily looking at the interplay of ethnicity and sexual health," Alex says.
"This entails a series of questions including how family relations, media and schooling might impact on Chinese young people's sexual practice/views, and how to better these young people's level of sexual health knowledge and health awareness," he says.
Alex is looking for Chinese aged between 18 and 25 years old, including those born in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China as well as those born in New Zealand with parents born in any of these areas.
"I'm aiming for a large sample (500+) for my online survey, which takes only 5 to 10 minutes...I also welcome participants who are interested in doing focus groups or individual interviews," Alex says.
"So far I have conducted 10 focus groups among over 35 young Chinese coming from different backgrounds... and participants have found it to be a good and meaningful experience," he says.
For more information, contact Alex by phone: 09 623 8899 extension 46303 or 021 252 7830 or email alex.li "at" auckland.ac.nz
More than 80 events to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse
Auckland Libraries is welcoming the Year of the Horse with an exciting range of events and activities to celebrate.
Local libraries are hosting more than 80 events across the region, including children’s story times, craft activities, workshops and cultural performances, along with their regular classes and activities for Mandarin speakers.
The Lunar New Year is always an important celebration at Auckland Libraries. Acknowledging important cultural events strengthens Auckland as a diverse city and gives people an insight into the backgrounds of fellow Aucklanders.
Events include:
Korean calligraphy workshop and exhibition, Highland Park Library
Saturday 25 January, 1pm - 3pm
Explore Korean calligraphy with experienced artists through a hands-on workshop. All ages welcome and great for the whole family. Drop in from 23 January to see an exclusive exhibition of works from the artists. Supported by the Asian Safety Education and Promotion Charitable Trust. Bookings: 09 535 5935 or email geumrosa.lee "at" aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Chinese film afternoon: Blue Kite, Birkenhead Library
Sunday 26 January, 1pm – 3.30pm
This film, directed by famous Chinese filmmaker Tian Zhuang Zhuang, won the Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Film Festival and Best Film at the Hawaii International Film Festival in 1993. It follows the life of a family in Beijing in 1950s and 1960s. It is banned in China. This is a free showing of this film in Mandarin with English subtitles, and is suitable for mature audiences.
Traditional Chinese dance, Massey Library
Friday 7 February, 10.30am - 11am
Colourful costumes, beautiful music and elegant dance! See Chinese dancers from a dance group based in New Lynn Community Centre perform traditional Chinese dances.
Mandarin iPad workshop, Botany Library
Sunday 9 February, 1.30pm - 3pm
Learn how to use an iPad to read Chinese magazines and download eBooks from the library. Seating is limited, bookings are essential, 09 272 0010 or botany.library "at" aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Auckland Libraries also has a large collection of resources that range from Asian-language books and magazines, to online services like Chinese Digital Community, Dragonsource and Press Display.
Visit www.aucklandlibraries.co.nz to find out more or pop into a library near you and celebrate the Year of the Horse.
Chinese volunteers needed for Positive Energy project
Are you of Chinese descent and have personal experience of mental illness? The 2014 theme for Kai Xin Xing Dong (KXXD), the Chinese Like Minds, Like Mine programme, is self-stigma and the KXXD team is looking for seven people to talk about how their beliefs on mental illness have affected them.
The project's title is Positive Energy because, by overcoming self-stigma, we gain positive energy. By telling the personal stories of Chinese people with lived experience of mental illness, we want to raise awareness of how negative beliefs can stop people from seeking help and treatment.
If you, or someone you know, would like to take part, email rebecca "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
