Take the Load Off

The concept

Take the Load Off is an online campaign to reduce mental illness stigma and discrimination.

For the 1 in 5 Kiwis who experience mental illness each year, stigma and discrimination can be a constant, heavy weight that makes life more challenging than it already is. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Take the Load Off focuses on the simple things people can do to reduce the weight of stigma and discrimination for people living with mental illness.

The finer details

Using people’s real experiences, we have created three short animated videos. These videos tell people’s personal stories, symbolising the weight of stigma and discrimination through a heavy sack people with lived experience carry with them in their daily lives.

Alongside these videos we have shared your stories on our website and through social media, giving people the opportunity to select specific actions they will do to lighten the load for people living with mental illness. People can share what they’re going to do on social media too.

There are opportunities for people to thank others who have taken the load off for them.

Will you help take the load off?

We’d love to hear your experiences of how you Take the Load Off!

Perhaps a friend included you in their lunch plans when you knew others were avoiding you, maybe a colleague offered to take on some of your workload when you were feeling overwhelmed. It could even be as simple as someone asking how you are going, and genuinely listening to you.

Whatever it is, we’d love to hear what’s lightened the load for you!

Head over to www.taketheloadoff.nz to have your say and find out more.

If you have any questions about the campaign please email likeminds@mentalhealth.org.nz

Take the Load Off has been developed in consultation with people with lived experience as well as their friends and whānau. Thanks to everyone who has helped to shape the campaign so far!