He mana tō te mātau ā-wheako

 

Our lived experience is our strength

 
 
 

Ko wai te whānau nei | Who is Changing Minds?

We are a national not-for-profit organisation, proudly led and operated entirely by people who have navigated their own lived experience journey through mental health and addiction.

Tō mātou whāinga matua | What we do

We embrace and nurture whānau mātau ā-wheako to embrace the mana of their lived experiences as a source of collective strength to activate equitable wellbeing across all of Aotearoa.  

We work in the broad area of hauora services, advocacy, human rights, and health policy, and we collect, articulate, and activate the strategic voice of lived experience. 

Mā ngā uara mātou e ārahi | Our Values

  Driven by our passion, guided by our values  

 
 
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Ngākaupono | Absolute integrity

We fight for what is right, we stand for what is true, we are driven by our pursuit of equitable wellbeing for all of Aotearoa.

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Hei tiaki | To protect what is sacred

We acknowledge all lived experiences as a taonga. We protect and nurture these taonga throughout our journey together with all whānau as a source of mana.

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He mana tō te kōrero | Words hold great power

We tell our stories, we speak as one, we support the voices of whānau to be heard.

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Tino-rangatiratanga | Leaders of our own pathway

We recognise whānau mātau ā-wheako as the leaders of their own journey, just as we are of ours.

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Whanaungatanga | Connection and identity

Our unique experiences, relationships and connections allow us all to find our own individual identity within one united whānau.

Te reo tautoko | What people are saying

 

Testimonials

“Your opening keynote address at the eMental Health Congress was simply one of the main highlights of the day. We have received a lot of positive feedback. I also wish to acknowledge what you have done by way of innovation is truly remarkable and be in the know that you are making the difference.”

“I appreciated the kindness and care shown to the Whakatau Mai participants. I was impressed that there was a peer-to-peer facilitator available.”

“Whakatau Mai has changed my life.” “I feel like I am co-creating wellness with others.”

“The Whakatau Mai facilitators have established a light, open and friendly atmosphere for the groups to participate in.”

“Changing Minds do such incredible work and they receive bugger all funding. I know their staff work long hours willingly just to make sh* happen… Happy to help out.”

“Loved hearing about your work… Look forward to seeing more stories shared in due course.”

“Love your mahi.”

“Thanks for the recoVRy goggles at the Expert Forum. More importantly, thanks Taimi and the team for everything you do.”

“Thanks for the recoVRy goggles, display of exceptionally good forward thinking leadership.”

“Thank you for all that you do, especially during these tougher times.”

Mahia te mahi e ora ai ngā moemoeā | Featured Projects

  Ways we can support you on your journey 

 
 
Current_Projects
Rākau Roroa
Rākau Roroa

Rākau Roroa trains and supports a growing network of people who want to use their personal lived experience of mental distress and recovery to inspire others.

Read More →
recoVRy Virtual Reality Experience
recoVRy Virtual Reality Experience

recoVRy is Changing Minds new virtual reality project. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of mental distress by allowing viewers to see things from the perspective of someone experiencing mental distress.

Read More →
Whakatau Mai | The Wellbeing Sessions
Whakatau Mai | The Wellbeing Sessions

Whakatau Mai | The Wellbeing Sessions by Changing Minds is a wide range of free and online wellbeing sessions, helping to safely support your wellbeing from the comfort of your own space. 

Read More →
 
 

Te reo āwhina | Our Stories

There is healing found through sharing our voices 

 
 
Featured
Leadership, the public eye, and mental distress.
Leadership, the public eye, and mental distress.

There has been a lot of recent media reporting on a New Zealand politician accused of a crime. Changing Minds would like to share our thoughts, to not only challenge prejudice and discriminatory narratives, but also to provide food for thought so that leaders, and anyone in the public eye can feel supported to nurture their own mental health and to be an example for others on their Lived Experience journeys.

Read More →
Recommendations for Change: Personal Reflections.
Recommendations for Change: Personal Reflections.

The following recommendations for change come from a person with Lived Experience in Te Waipounamu. These are part of a larger report of personal experiences this person has prepared to raise awareness of the effects of current mental health systems and services, and to inspire positive change.

Changing Minds is sharing these recommendations with permission, and we hope it encourages our Lived Experience community to share your own ideas to improve mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa.

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Insights | Experiences of Health in Aotearoa from a Lived Experience and Women’s* Perspective.
Insights | Experiences of Health in Aotearoa from a Lived Experience and Women’s* Perspective.

Changing Minds was asked by Manatū Hauora to gather community insights on the experiences of women* with Lived Experience of mental distress and/or addiction or substance use, to inform their Pae Ora | Healthy Futures Women’s Health Strategy.

Read More →
 
 

 

Tūtaki mai, tūtaki atu | Upcoming Events

Opportunities to connect  

 
 
 

Te kāhui āwhina | Our Supporters

Our connections of support 

 
 
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Āwhina atu, āwhina mai | Ways to support us

When you support us, you support the people  

 
 
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Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu | Donate

When you support us, you support real change, for real people.

 
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Kōrero mai | Share your thoughts

We would love your thoughts on a few questions about our website that will help inform us on what you find useful, or not, so we can provide more relevant information to support you, your whānau, and community.