Getting Through Together Digest: 10th May 2020
Kia ora. Today we're sending some extra aroha to the mums, the stand-in mums, those without mums, and those who find Mother's Day a tough time. We're also thinking of those who have lost their mums, or who can't see them during lockdown.
To all of the mums across Aotearoa, thank you for all the juggling, the loving, and everything you do.
And on the subject of gratitude, a huge thanks to everyone for continuing to do your bit to stamp out COVID-19. We'll know more tomorrow about how much longer we'll be at level 3, but for now our challenge remains the same - staying safe and keeping up the kindness. We've got this Aotearoa!
Arohanui,
All Right? and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Free things to put a smile on a mum's dial
With so many of our usual 'go-to' retailers shut and couriers struggling to keep up with deliveries, many of us have needed to get creative this Mother's Day.
If you've already nailed Mother's Day this year go you! If you need to do something quick, then check these ideas out...
There are lots of ways you can share a little love (on Mother's Day or any day), even from inside your bubble!
Parenting in lockdown
Parenting and caring for tamariki can be hard at the best of times, and many of us have felt a bit overwhelmed over the last few weeks.
The Mental Health Foundation has developed a new resource, with input from parents, carers and whānau across Aotearoa who are getting through this one day at a time.
It provides practical tips, reassurance and information to help parents get through, including coping strategies, ways to manage working from home and caring for tamariki, tips for single parents who are doing it tough, advice around financial hardship, and information for those experiencing family violence.
Rest home manager goes over and above to support residents
It seems like the residents at Belmont Lifestyle Village in Auckland have been having a more action-packed lockdown than the rest of us.
A lot of that is due to their activity line-up and the retirement village’s manager Karen Martin who moved into the establishment’s bubble when New Zealand moved into noho rāhui/ lockdown in March.
There’s Happy Hour, where staff (in masks and gloves), pour a wine for each of the residents and they stand in their bedroom doors and all have a boogie. There have been ‘designer mask’ fashion shows, with different themes, like New York, Monte Carlo and Made in New Zealand, and much more!
It seems that keeping things a little silly, but very creative, is a great way to keep spirits up.
Help build our wall!
We all have ideas to take us from hōhā to happy... thanks to all of you who have shared yours on our digital wall. They make happy reading.
Read other ideas or share your ideas on our digital wall.
We're loving this COVID-19 bedtime fairytale
This story from Kiwi-born poet Tomos Roberts is well worth a watch if you haven't seen it. If you have seen it then it could well be worth another!
It really gets you thinking about how we could use what we've discovered during COVID-19 to build a kinder, more peaceful and happier world.
Not all right?
For many of us, these new challenges and the loss of our regular routines is causing stress. We want you to know that however you’re feeling, there is someone to talk to and free help available. It’s okay to reach out if you need to - we all need a bit of support from time-to-time.
Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor anytime - it’s free and completely confidential. You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543354 or text HELP to 4357.
Check out the Mental Health Foundation’s website for further advice on how to stay mentally well during this time.
Until next time, stay well Aotearoa.
And remember, we'll get through this - together.
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