Mental Health Unit Fundraiser

"Hey all you beautiful souls! I am starting a fundraiser in cooperation with The Well Foundation to raise funds for some new equipment that we could donate towards the He Puna Mental Health Unit at North Shore Hospital in Takapuna. I would like to raise funds for a brand-new Piano and hopefully if we raise enough money, for one or two new massage chairs! This equipment will be so beneficial for patients staying in the unit.

To make things clearer for my reasoning behind this, I would like to explain a bit of my own personal experience in the unit. On the 24th of July, I was admitted to the unit after having a psychotic breakdown. I spent 13 days in high care and the open ward then finally being released on the 5th of August. I then was transferred to a Respite which I saw as a safe space. For the time being the Doctors can only diagnose me with what they call Schizo-affective disorder(a combination of depression and Schizophrenia). During my stay I was able to see first hand how the system works and what the experience is like for a patient

Through my stay I interacted with many beautiful and talented individuals and realized so much more could be done to help them express their talents.

My goal in the future is to help create spaces for these individuals to express themselves. Even through the unknown and sometimes scary environment of being in a mental health unit whilst having a mental illness they are able to find peace with any talent they possess. I believe if we can contribute even something as simple as a piano it can bring joy and peace to an individual that may have no other outlet other than playing music, as this is how it was for me and for others during our stay. Music heals the soul, and my love for music is what drives me towards this goal.

I would also like to say a big thank you to all the staff and nurses who took care of me during my time in the unit, I hope this donation can be seen as my gratefulness towards those beautiful people. I would also like to thank all those who choose to contribute toward this cause, and I pray we are able to reach our goal with this fundraiser. Bless you all”