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MEDIA RELEASE – Mental Health Association
7 October

The Mall Walk Workout

The Mental Health Foundation is encouraging all New Zealanders to play their part in looking after their mental health and by doing so helping create a society where all people flourish.

Each day this week the Foundation will be releasing an article highlighting flourishing communities from around the country. Today’s community is New Lynn.

Go along to Lynn Mall early on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, before the shops have even opened, and you may be surprised by the level of activity taking place.

Twice a week a group of mall walkers meet at 6:45 am to start their days in a healthy way.

Residents of New Lynn, Waitakere City, can join in the free exercise regime, which has been running for about 10 years.

In the summer months the mall walkers take an outside route, utilising the ramps and stairs as they walk around the mall, while in wet weather the route can simply be switched to an indoor one.

For the walkers it brings social interaction and a healthy start to their day whilst for the malls it brings business to their shops and cafes as people often window shop and end their sessions with refreshments.

To find out more about the mall walkers please visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/newsletters/view/article/21/286/2010/.

“Mall walking is a great way for people not only to get some exercise but to build new relationships within their community” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation “Through these kinds of activities and relationships, a genuine sense of community spirit is created and the community flourishes”

A series of exciting events have been planned for the week throughout New Zealand, including various forums and workshops, art exhibitions, musical performances and more. Check out our events calendar – http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/777-2010-flourishing-for-everybody+events-calendar.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 4 – 10 October and ends with World Mental Health Day taking place on Sunday 10 October. It is endorsed by the World Federation for Mental Health and marked in over 150 countries.

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Media enquiries:
Martin Street
Senior Communications Officer
Mental Health Foundation
021 790 236
[email protected]

Tags: walking