2026 Theme

Belonging matters

It may seem obvious, but it's true – belonging feels good. Research tells us that a strong sense of belonging is good for our mental health.

But it also means that feeling like we don't belong can be pretty difficult. In recent years, loneliness has been on the rise on New Zealand and only 53% of us agree that our neighbourhood has a strong sense of community¹.

In a period of growing loneliness², declining trust¹³, and rising insularity³ Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 stands for the opposite: a hopeful and inclusive story for Aotearoa. That's why this year's theme is... Belonging matters.

A sense of belonging doesn't only matter for ourselves, but also for those around us. Looking after our neighbours and our mates matters. Showing up and being there when you're needed matters. Lending a hand and reaching out matters. It's all the small actions we take to nurture a sense of belonging that matters to those around us and their mental health.

And so, this Mental Health Awareness Week (12 – 18 October 2026), that's the plan. We'll be sharing helpful resources, activations and events that focus on taking small actions that improve our sense of belonging.

Stay tuned by signing up to the MHAW mailing list and check our social channels for more info on how to get involved. We can't wait to share more!

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. With your food basket and mine, the people will flourish.

References

1. Helen Clark Foundation. (2026). Social cohesion in New Zealand 2026. https://www.helenclark.foundation/social-cohesion.
2. Stats NZ. (2023). Wellbeing statistics: 2023. https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/wellbeing-statistics-2023/.
3. Edelman. (2026). Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report. https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer.