Thursday, October 19, 2017
HIP-HOP artist from Rotorua Angus Grace, brother of Opotiki’s Rene Grace (right), performs his track A Hory Life at the Take Notice concert last week. Photos Ross McCullough
Ross McCullough
LAST week’s Take Notice concert in Opotiki, organised by Te Pou Oranga o Whakatohea for Mental Health Awareness Week, proved a hit.
Kaupapa Maori mental health clinician and concert co-ordinator Selena Going said there were guest speakers, singers-entertainers, activities for the children and free kai for everyone.
Ms Going said the aim was to raise awareness in the community that mental health did not just impact on the person diagnosed but also on those around them.
Together a shared understanding of mental health and its impact on the community was beneficial.
Local businesses lent support to the concert with spot prizes given out throughout the day.
Acts included Craig Rimiha, Eru Tuari, Rene Grace, his brother Angus Grace, a hip-hop artist from Rotorua and Opotiki College student, Te Rii Pirihi who performed the anti-bullying song that won her the Yeah, Nah, It’s Not Ok song quest in Whakatane.
There was also karaoke and poetry readings.
Patricia Bennett, a peer support worker from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board community mental health unit in Whakatane, sajd services provided in Opotiki were run on a shoe-string budget with Te Pou doing a sterling job considering.
She said the event was about connecting with whanau, sharing and enjoying each other’s company.
Te Pou Oranga o Whakatohea group manager Ian Linton simplified it further, saying the day was about people.
He said it was nice to have a day where the atmosphere was enjoying and relaxing, because usually every day for his staff was full-on.
His message for those struggling is that any door to find the help they need is the right door.
“I want every single person to know they’re going to get a good service and will be respected as much as the next person.
“That’s what it’s about which is why our services are there,” he said.
The children’s activities for the day were run by Emerge Aotearoa and included competitions for colouring in, rock painting, a gutter board game, and guessing the number of lollipops in a jar.