Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 puts belonging at its centre

Mental Health Awareness Week runs nationwide from 12 to 18 October, asking schools, workplaces and communities to focus on small, everyday moments of connection.

The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF) points to recent research showing rising loneliness and declining trust across Aotearoa. The 2026 theme is Belonging Matters. It is grounded in the whakataukī Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au, I am you, and you are me.

“It is a two-way street, we need to reach out and we need to invite people in,” said Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the MHF.

The foundation says feeling connected to others reduces loneliness, strengthens self-confidence, and can provide valuable social support during hard times. Its examples include checking in on a mate, making time for a kōrero and reaching out to someone new.

Exclusion also matters, the foundation says. It has a direct negative impact on wellbeing, particularly among rangatahi/young people, recent migrants, sole parents and rainbow communities.

This year’s call to action is to reach out, kōrero, connect, and host an event for your school, workplace or community.

Free downloadable resources and ideas are available at mhaw.nz. The Activation Plan is a simple, flexible schedule for marking the week at a school, workplace, home or community space. There are also separate guides for workplaces, schools and communities.

Schools and workplaces can order a free event pack. Anyone can submit their own event to be listed in the What’s On calendar.

Events already listed include the Big Morning Run on 16 October at multiple locations. A free online Managing Stress Lunch and Learn session also runs on 16 October. FluroFest 2026 is on 18 October in the Bay of Plenty.

The week will not be structured around daily themes this year. Instead, the organisers are providing ideas and activities to explore at any time during the week.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing offer small, practical actions: Connect, Give, Be Active, Take Notice and Keep Learning. To hear about plans for the week, sign up to the mailing list for the latest news.