Mental Health Awareness Week is here – and it matters more than ever.

Over the past decade, Aotearoa has made incredible strides in breaking down stigma, opening up conversations  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   View in browser  DONATE About Donate Kia ora , Over the past decade, Aotearoa has made remarkable progress in embracing mental health as a vital part of overall wellbeing. We've seen communities come together, schools champion wellbeing, and workplaces begin to prioritise mental health. Conversations around anxiety, stress, and resilience are becoming more open, and the value of lived experience is increasingly recognised as a source of insight, leadership, and strength. Yet, we know the journey is ongoing. Anxiety, stress, and burnout continue to affect thousands of New Zealanders. Access to support remains uneven, and the pressures of modern life are growing. That's why Mental Health Awareness Week, and other awareness initiatives, are so important: they offer a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to building a more compassionate, connected, and resilient society. This year's theme centres on connection, courage, and supporting one another through life's ups and downs. At Anxiety NZ, we believe that everyone's experience is valid. We honour the diversity of lived experiences and the unique journeys people take toward wellbeing. We know that healing and growth are possible—and that with the right support, people can achieve their goals, strengthen relationships, and thrive. We're proud to offer a range of free resources to help you support your community, school, or workplace. Together, we can continue to create environments where mental health is understood, respected, and supported. ✅ Free Printable Posters Designed to spark conversations and provide practical tools for managing anxiety and stress. ➡️ Find these here ✅ Online Courses & Workshops Including Empowered: An online, self-paced course to support your mental wellbeing.  ➡️ Check out Empowered ➡️ Explore all of our courses and resources ✅ Helpline Our 24/7 Anxiety Helpline is here for you when you're feeling stressed or anxious. 📞 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389) Whether you're a teacher, community leader, someone who cares, we invite you to use and share these tools. Together, we can create a more supportive, resilient Aotearoa. With aroha, The Anxiety NZ Team OCD Awareness Week OCD Awareness Week (12–18 October): Shedding Light on Intrusive Thoughts Many of us experience unwanted or intrusive thoughts from time to time. Usually, they pass. But for some, these thoughts become persistent, distressing, and difficult to shake—leading to patterns of reassurance-seeking or mental rituals that offer short-term relief but can deepen anxiety over time. These "sticky" thoughts can intensify during certain life stages or under stress. When they begin to interfere with daily life, they may be part of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—a condition that affects thousands of New Zealanders. OCD involves recurring obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours or mental acts) aimed at easing the anxiety those thoughts bring. The good news is: OCD is treatable. A great first step is talking to your doctor. You can also call our free 24/7 national 0800 Anxiety Helpline (0800 269 4389) to speak with someone who understands and learn helpful techniques. In this week's article, our Anxiety NZ Community Education Intern interviewed a friend living with OCD: "I had no idea about OCD or anxiety until my late teens. It just wasn't talked about." This OCD Awareness Week, we invite you to learn more, share stories, and help break the silence. The more we understand, the better we can support those around us. October is ADHD Awareness Month: Celebrating Neurodiversity ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. It's a natural variation in how the brain regulates attention, emotions, and behaviour. People with ADHD may experience challenges such as inattention, impulsivity, or restlessness, especially when tasks are repetitive or lack stimulation. The theme for ADHD Awareness Month 2025 is "The Many Faces of ADHD". It's a celebration of the diversity within the ADHD community—every experience is valid, and every story matters. ADHD is not one-size-fits-all. To learn more, and get links and resources head to our website. This October, let's move beyond awareness to acceptance, empowerment, and celebration. ADHD is not a deficit—it's a different way of thinking, feeling, and thriving. From the Clinic Counselling Services: With mental health clinicians completing their professional training Regular clinical and peer supervision ensures safe, quality support Support for a range of mental health and wellbeing needs A great option for for people seeking a counselling approach at an affordable rate Online (nationally) or in-person (Auckland clinic) appointments are available Mon-Sat, including late nights Funding support may apply 📅 Appointments are available online – perfect for busy whānau across New Zealand. Call us at 09 846 9776 or visit Counselling Services | Anxiety NZ to learn more. Find Out More Here Annual Survey Last days to share your feedback Our Annual Survey is now open, and your insights are invaluable.  October 12th is the last day to submit a response and be in the draw to win one of two Wellbeing Packs. T&Cs apply. For more, see anxiety.org.nz/survey. It only takes a few minutes, and your voice truly makes a difference. Fill in now Keen for more ways to get involved? Did you know that Anxiety NZ is a charity NGO (non-governmental organisation)? Our mission is to provide mental health support, treatment, and education so that we can help build a more resilient and thriving Aotearoa NZ together. You can help us make a difference in the lives of the growing number of Kiwis seeking support for anxiety and other related conditions. Here are a few ways you can help us keep going in our mission: Become a regular supporter with a monthly donation (most impact) Start a fundraiser and share it with your network (super easy) Volunteer with us Your support helps us to answer the 0800 ANXIETY Helpline calls 24/7 and support people when they need it the most. Please open your heart and donate today! Get in touch with us if you have any questions on how to get involved. 🩵 DONATE NOW About | Get Support | Resources | Shop | Anxiety New Zealand Trust 77 Morningside Drive, St Lukes, Auckland, NZ 1025, Auckland New Zealand You are receiving this email because you opted in for updates from Anxiety NZ. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking unsubscribe. unsubscribe