Mental Health Awareness Week

By nurturing our community, we ensure that no one fights alone

In the NZDF, we are often seen as strong, resilient, and self-reliant, but isolation can be one of our greatest enemies. Behind every uniform there’s a human being who relies on the support of others to maintain that strength. Our community— our military force, our civilians, and the families who support us —is foundational to our wellbeing and resilience.

Community is not just about camaraderie; it's about recognising when one of our own is struggling and offering them a hand. It’s about fostering an environment where speaking up about mental health is seen as a gesture of faith in our team and the NZDF. Together, we can break down the barriers of stigma and create a space where every service member feels supported.

Remember, wellbeing is a collective effort. By nurturing our community we ensure that no one fights alone.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and mine, the people will flourish.

New and popular tools and resources

Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect time to explore the fantastic range of resources available to support your mental wellbeing. Here are some some highlights:

The newly refreshed NZDF ResCo (Resiliency Coach) app has just been launched, available for download on both Apple and Android phones. The app has been developed specifically for military personnel to reinforce skills that will help keep you at the top of your game. You can customise the app to provide tailored feedback and prompts to keep you on track. Find out more about the app here.
Managing the wellbeing of yourself and your staff: A guide for NZDF Leaders has been designed by WGCDR Carolyn Pezaro to help avoid burnout and craft a better work life. Click here for the resource, along with the highly popular Workload and Burnout seminar from the NZDF's Wellbeing Month 2024.
Catch Chief Mental Health Officer, LTCOL Steve Kearney's top tips on checking in with a mate, connecting with someone who is feeling down, and expressing gratitude.
Expand your Mind Toolkit by checking out a recent talk by our Chief Mental Health Officer, The Power of Mindset, here.
Now available on demand: Highlights from a recent talk at Burnham by Dr Lucy Hone, best-selling Kiwi author and resilience researcher, on The Science and Practice of Resilience. Click here to learn how to build your resilience recipe, overcome the negativity bias, and much more!
Did you know the mindfulness app, Headspace, is fully funded for NZDF members? Download the app, click here for the step-by-step signup guide, and start logging your mindfulness streak today!
Not sure what the buzz about mindfulness is? NZDF psych, SQNLDR Carsten Grimm addresses mindfulness myths and misunderstandings in this engaging webinar, ‘Is Mindfulness for me?’
Game to give it a go? NZDF physio and yoga instructor, MAJ Raylene Grant, walks you through a five minute meditation here.
Could the vibe in your unit or team do with a lift? Click here for ideas on how to encourage a positive workplace culture, and here to learn about 7 steps to creating kindness in the workplace.
Have you heard of RAOK – Random Acts of Kindness? Put a smile on someone's face by surprising them with a little act of kindness. Doing something nice for someone doesn't have to cost a lot of time or money – it's the small things in life that can make a big difference. Click here for inspiration.
Only got a couple of minutes? Check out NZDF Chaplain Amy Houben sharing about the power of compassion for self and others here.

Time for a mental health check-in?

Wondering if you need professional help? You can find some helpful guidance here. Click here for information on what to expect if you ask for help, and here to bust some common mental health myths.

You can also follow these hotlinks for quick and anonymous self-checks on your currents levels of resilience, anxiety and depression, and the health of your relationships, along with suggestions for improving these.

Need support?

If you are ever worried about your, or someone else's, mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or your local Defence Health Centre doctor.

Other options include:

- Call NZDF4U Wellbeing Support on 0800 NZDF4U (0800 693 348) or text 8881 for confidential 24/7 support.

- Your local NZDF Social Worker.

- Your local Defence Chaplain.

Supporting a mate? Find some tips here.

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