Changing Minds

Changing Minds

Delivering wellbeing services, advocacy, human rights, and health policy by people with personal experience of mental health and/or addiction issues.

We are a whānau first and foremost. We believe in upholding, protecting and nurturing the mana and potential of all Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako – people with personal experience of mental distress and/or addiction, right across Aotearoa. 

 We are a national not-for-profit organisation that is committed to ‘living’ our whanaungatanga – connection, identity and purpose within te Tiriti o Waitangi for the hauora – wellbeing of all Aotearoa.

 We pride ourselves in being operated entirely by those who have navigated their own Lived Experience who now stand tall as living examples of what is possible when we recognise and embrace our experiences as taonga – sign of the potential we all hold to influence greater hauora.  

 Our work

• We collect, articulate, and activate the strategic voice of lived experience.
• We provide information, advice, education, and advocacy on a range of health and social issues that impact on mental health for all people.
• We lead collaborative social change projects, such as recoVRy, aimed at reducing mental health discrimination, promoting social inclusion and improving mental health and wellbeing for communities, people and whānau.
• We are training and growing a network of leaders, Rakau Roroa, to use their personal lived experience of mental distress and recovery to inspire others and create change in their communities.