Mental Health Awareness week - 18 to 24 September

By Grace Ramsey (Youth Practitioner), Whakatipu Youth Trust

We’re just about a 1 week away from the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, a time when we come together to spotlight the importance of mental wellbeing, foster understanding, and create a supportive community.

Whakatipu Youth Trust is inviting the community to join a week of exciting events for Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Five Ways in Five Days”- a toolkit to support our mental health by noticing, moving, giving, connecting, and learning. Whakatipu Youth Trust offer mental health support to our incredible rangatahi across the Whakatipu Basin and are encouraging the community to do the same by embedding these actions into their daily practices. They are hosting a variety of events that demonstrate ways to support our well-being and connect with one another. Whilst doing this, they are hoping to fundraise for their new Adventure Therapy Programme; supporting youth to connect life experiences through outdoor activities.

Here is the low-down on what’s going on at Whakatipu Youth Trust over the week.

Recycle Boutique Clothes Swap
Tuesday 19, September, 5pm -7pm at Queenstown Resort College Café
Cost: Gold-coin donation as entry fee.
In light of “giving” and “connecting”, Recycle Boutique (a local consignment store where you can shop and sell your clothing) and Whakatipu Youth Trust are hosting a Clothes Swap at Queenstown Resort College. Drop off your clothes to Whakatipu Youth Trust, 4a/15 Red Oak’s Drive, Frankton between 9am -5pm Monday -Friday before 19 September and bring the tokens we give you to the swap. The number of tokens you have is how many pieces of clothing you are eligible to take on the night! Alternatively, you can bring clothes on the night- if you do this, please only bring 5-7 pieces of clothing so our incredible volunteers are able to display all the clothes donated. This event is inclusive of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and sexual identities; the clothing will not be separated into gendered items.
Come down, connect with your Queenstown whanau and pick up some pre-loved clothing - for free! (Well, for one gold coin donation).

Art in Motion with Sunny Sky
Wednesday, 20 September, 5:30pm - 7.00pm at The Hub, 5a Red Oaks Drive Frankton
Cost: $5-Register ahead of time at whakatipuyouthtrust.org.nz.
Sunny Sky and Whakatipu Youth Trust have created a fun-packed night of music, movement & art. Come and uplift your energy and feel groovy through mindful movement & art meditation. What a great way to “connect”, “move” and “learn” a new way of taking care of our wellbeing. This event is open to 10 to 14-year-olds and is registration only.

Ride to Thrive
Saturday, 23 September, 10am-2pm at Pump track, Hanley’s Farm
Cost: Free! (Coaching is $10pp, sign up online at whakatipuyouthtrust.org.nz prior to event)
As a round-up event for Mental Health Awareness Week, Whakatipu Youth Trust are hosting young people, families, and friends to their “Ride to Thrive” bike day. Onward MTB are coming along to offer coaching, there will be 2 time slots 1030 to 1130am and 12pm to 1pm, pre-registration for coaching is necessary, see our website to sign up. There will be some bikes and helmets for use. Neat Meats will be providing a sausage sizzle and raffle prizes and spot prizes are to be won. Ride to Thrive is about coming and giving biking a go!