Fonterra launches Healthy Minds in New Zealand with Kiwi personality Jason Gunn
Fonterra Oceania is passionate about creating healthy environments for our people, farmers and communities, and that’s not just physical health, it’s mental health too.
One in five people in Australia experience mental illness in a year and 47 per cent of Kiwis will experience mental distress or illness in their lifetime – chances are you, or someone you know fall into these statistics.
Since 2020, we’ve run the Healthy Minds program at Fonterra’s Australian sites, offices and in local communities, highlighting the importance of making genuine conversations around mental health a part of everyday life.
Jason Gunn presents as part of the New Zealand launch of Healthy Minds.
This week, the program extended across the ditch to New Zealand, launching at our manufacturing and distribution sites for the first time with special guest, Jason Gunn.
Jason, a popular Kiwi and television personality, led the sessions in a humorous style, and opened up about personal battles. He challenged our teams to think about how they look after themselves and the people around them.
Jason challenged the Fonterra Oceania teams with a simple question; “How can you be the best part of someone’s day?” and encouraged all to think of examples and situations to share kindness, listen, and empathise. Often, it’s these small actions that can make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
Fonterra Oceania General Manager for Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Ekaterina (Kathy) Antoniadis, said Healthy Minds has grown and evolved over the last five years, becoming a critical part of our Oceania team culture.
“When we started Healthy Minds in 2020, we knew it was a special program. It’s been rewarding to see it grow to become an integral part of our culture,” Kathy said.
“Now with the launch of Healthy Minds for our people in New Zealand, we’re continuing to build awareness and support for each other through normalising and destigmatising mental health conversations.”
“Most importantly, it’s about creating safe spaces for people to connect and communicate, and we couldn’t be more thankful to Jason Gunn for helping us do just that as part of our New Zealand launch,” she said.
"When we started Healthy Minds in 2020, we knew it was a special program. It’s been rewarding to see it grow to become an integral part of our culture."
About Healthy Minds
Starting in Australia and led by Wayne Schwass, founder of Puka Up and the first New Zealand-born Australian Football League (AFL) player known to be of Māori heritage, Healthy Minds wellbeing sessions focus on Wayne’s personal journey through mental health challenges and how he worked to overcome them.
With Wayne’s guidance, Fonterra’s Healthy Minds program works with our people, our farmers and our communities to encourage conversations about their mental health, like they would their physical health.
Need to talk to someone?
If you or someone you know is not feeling their best, please reach out to support that’s available.
Australia:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
- Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
New Zealand:
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 (available 24/7)
- Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
- Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (12pm to 11pm)
- Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
- Anxiety helpline: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) (available 24/7)
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155