Mental Health: Community is what we create together
Getting behind Mental Health is something we feel passionately about here at Queenstown Central Shopping Centre.
With Mental Health issues spanning all ages and stages of New Zealanders, continuing to drive awareness, talk openly, learn the tools to manage stress, and actively take control of our wellbeing is relevant to everyone.
Here are some of the ways the local Queenstown community are getting on board with supporting mental health, including our very own retailers at Queenstown Central.
Help our young people – Whakatipu Youth Trust
Our youth are encountering challenges with Mental Health much earlier in life.
Supporting our young people and helping them learn coping strategies can change the trajectory of their future.
Whakatipu Youth Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that works alongside young people aged 10-24 to ensure rangitahi have the skills, self-worth, well-being, resilience and support they need to reach their full potential.
WYT provide mild to moderate mental health services such as counselling, and social work, youth mentoring, group programmes, school holiday activities and other positive youth development opportunities throughout the Queenstown Central Lakes Region.
Queenstown Central produced a little video for WYT last year as part of our sponsorship for locally run Social Sessions luncheon – raising money for mental health.
Learn to grow – Workshop: Burnout, Wellbeing and the Workplace
Friday 27 September
ASB, Frankton
A fundraising workshop during Mental Health Awareness Week run by Headlight.
Learn what steps you can take to support the wellbeing of your staff and yourself and reduce the risk of burnout.
Headlight trustee Merle Grimwood-Petterson, who is a Mental Health Educator, certified practitioner and a mental health lecturer at SIT will be delivering this important workshop.
All profits will go to support Headlight’s work increasing mental health literacy in communities, so that people have the skills, knowledge and confidence to support their own mental health and can actively support the mental wellbeing of friends, family and whānau who are struggling.
Find your tribe: Social Sessions for Mental Health.
Sunday 09 March.
Social Sessions is an annual luncheon raising money for Mental Health.
Powered by Casey Ravenwood (owner of Social Clothing) and proudly sponsored by Queenstown Central Shopping Centre the event is an inspirational and educational day with speakers talking from personal experience or with an industry perspective. All proceeds of the event go towards supporting Mental Health.
A popular event for Queenstown tickets the next event will held in March 2025. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to grab a ticket as they sell out fast.
If your business is interested in contributing to this fantastic event, please send enquiries to: socialclothingconz@gmail.com
Run towards your destiny – Queenstown Marathon
16 November
Getting the body moving and setting new personal challenges is a great way to keep your mental health in check. The iconic Queenstown Marathon is just around the corner on with races for all age and abilities.
Find out more at the Queenstown Marathon website
Whether Marathon is your thing, or you simply want to hit the pavement solo, visit Paul and the team at Front Runner, Queenstown Central Shopping Centre and they will fit you with the perfect shoe and all your running essentials.
Front Runner are located just off the main Kmart carpark at Queenstown Central Shopping Centre.
Connect Muscle and Mind – OC Health Clubs
Located on level one at Queenstown Central Shopping Centre
The team at OC Health Clubs understand the importance of a programme that focusses on both mind and body. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve your cardio, or simply find a way to unwind and de-stress, the OC have a class that’s perfect for you. From Strength and HIIT for the body and Yoga, Breath Work and Pilates for the Mind, their diverse range of sessions are designed to meet the needs of people of all fitness levels, and are constantly adding new options to keep things fresh and exciting.
Visit OC Health Clubs website
Give – I Am Hope/ Gum Boot Friday
I Am Hope is an organization “promoting positive attitudinal societal change around mental health offering a voice to our young people”.
Promoted by New Zealander Mike King, I AM Hope and Gumboot Friday first paved the way for men to talk openly about mental health.
The charity is now focusing on the wellbeing of our young people for the early intervention of mental health.
With programmes in schools helping children identify their emotions, access to free counselling, alongside their national Gum Boot Friday campaign there are many ways to support this charity at a local level.
The Colliers Rural team will be onsite at Queenstown Central Shopping Centre for Gumboot Friday 1 November to help drive awareness for this fantastic collection day.
QC retailer, Barkers (located on Central Street) are ongoing sponsors of Gumboot Friday.
Did you know that every third Friday of each month, for every purchase made, Barkers donates $2 to Gumboot Friday.
100% of donations go directly to counselling for kiwi kids and young people.
“We know that when guys like us come together and play our small part, we’ve got the power to make a real impact” – Barkers
Nurture starts with Nature – Soul Food Organic
Located in The Market at Queenstown Central Shopping Centre, Soul Food Organic offer fresh organic produce, pantry staples, fresh smoothies and sweet treats accompanied by a wealth of knowledge on the perfect ingredients needed to balance a healthy lifestyle.
Chatting to owner Paul from Soul Food Organic he notes that Mental Health is not just about “what you eat” but more about how choose to live your life and the people your surround yourself with. In an ode to mental health awareness Paul wrote this little recipe:
1 cup positive attitude
½ cup fresh air and exercise
1tsp gratitude
1 tsp of spirituality/community
Pinch of humour
a good hug
Optional: Pinch of spice/sassiness and a dash of laughter
Gluten Free, Dairy Free. May contain traces of LOVE.