Most charities want to raise money for mental health – here at the Like Minds, Like Mine team at Mind & Body Consultants, we’d rather give money away to raise awareness.  RETHiNK Grants support creative projects that encourage the Auckland community to rethink their attitude to mental disorder and applications are open now. 

The RETHiNK Grant offers New Zealanders an opportunity to use their creative skills to change the way people in Aotearoa view mental disorder – and help change the world.  

Mental disorder has affected 39.5% of New Zealanders at some point and projections suggest that by the time we reach 75, 46.6% of us will have experienced mental distress.  While these experiences are common, research suggests that the people who discriminate the most are the people who could help the most – service providers, friends, whanau, colleagues and employers – the people we encounter every day.  There is a real need for people to know and understand what mental disorder or distress is about and not to be fearful of it; those that suffer may not necessarily be as far removed from reality as we think.  

The grant offers a total pool of $15 000 to be granted as a lump sum or divided between projects.  Groups and individuals are eligible to apply – all you need is a great idea and the passion to see it through.  $15 000 is up for grabs to support innovative projects that challenge New Zealanders to rethink the meaning of madness. 

Applications close on the 30^th April 2010.  Winners announced 28^th May 2010.  www.rethinkgrant.co.nz

What Is Normal Anyway?
Like minds seek a new lens to view madness through