An Auckland woman has created a seat aimed to encourage conversations about mental health after her husband died by suicide.
Emily Turnbull's husband Darryl Paton died by suicide a few years ago. Turnbull said Darryl felt a deep stigma about having bipolar disorder and was worried he would be treated differently if people knew about his diagnosis.
After he died, Turnball decided to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing by creating Chatterbox.
The Chatterbox seat has been installed in Harbour View Reserve, Pt Chevalier and gives Kiwis a space to go and talk.
Turnbull told AM on Monday Chatterbox came about because Darryl struggled to talk about his mental health.
"He had a very, very deep self-stigma that people would judge him and treat him differently. And this is a man who had a wide group of friends, was well respected, had a really supportive family but he just felt that people were going to treat him differently.
"He felt raising that conversation and starting that conversation was just too hard. So he consciously hid it from people," she said.
Turnbull said thankfully conversations about mental health are more normalised now but hopes Chatterbox will help continue that.
"What I think has happened in the last couple of years is there is a lot more openness around our mental health.
"I think there's also this understanding that each and every one of us can really impact this by genuinely just stopping, connecting and having a conversation, asking people, 'How are you genuinely, how are you?' and taking that moment."
She said the bench is meant to be a conversation starter and give people a space to connect with others.
It has been installed just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week which kicked off on Monday and runs until Sunday.
"I think when you consider Mental Health Awareness Week, which kicked off today, it's all around reconnection with people and places," she said."What an amazing opportunity to stop, to pick up the phone, to knock on a door, to go and visit someone.
The signage on the seat encourages people to free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor if they need to.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
