Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust — Te Whare Oranga Ngākau is running its Laps for Life event for the second time next month.
The aim of the free event is for attendees to wear something yellow and collectively run or walk 365km to represent every day of new possibilities in the year.
The idea was created by trust peer supporter Tai Davies.
Last year’s inaugural event was really successful, he said.
About 200 attendees collectively ran just over 4400 laps, which roughly equated to the length of New Zealand of about 1900km.
"We had a great number of family, kids, dogs that came along and it was a great way for the community to interact with mental health services, create a great network and just connect with each other."
This year, he hoped to build on the positive aspects of last year’s event while aiming to make it "bigger and better".
"This year, we are definitely prioritising communities’ own self-care."
As well as raising awareness around suicide prevention and aiming to break down the stigma of mental health, he encouraged people to come along for a nice day out.
Peer supporter Anna Harris said some people who supported Life Matters might not be able to walk or run a lap.
"So it was important for us to have some accessible activities as well.
"Last year we had rock painting, which was really successful and I think we will bring back."
The Otago Mental Health Support Trust will be attending once again and will be co-ordinating other local mental health services to have a presence at the event.
Life Matters general manager Clare Curran said this year, the trust was challenging individuals and teams to aim for between 20 and 50 laps each, representing between 6km and 15km.
It was an achievable goal that gave everyone a good workout while focusing on their mental health for the day, she said.
"Raising awareness and de-stigmatising any conversation about suicide is a core element of our mission, to have zero suicides across Aotearoa."
Details
Life Matters Laps for Life
Sunday, March 16
10am to 2pm
Alhambra North Ground
Great King St
Free registration — lifematters.org.nz
