Mind Set Engage's new wellbeing series 'Kōrero About It' premieres

New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) mental wellbeing programme Mind Set Engage premieres a brand-new series Kōrero About It now rolling out on socials, NZR+ and NZR and YouTube.

Kōrero About It provides a unique insight into the lives of our rugby professionals including their lived experiences with mental health and wellbeing.

The six-part series features NZR Mind Set Engage’s ambassadors All Blacks Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown and Harry Plummer, Black Ferns Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Katelyn Vahaakolo, and professional New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe. 

NZR Chief People Safety & Wellbeing Officer Toni Grimshaw said Kōrero About It supports NZR’s key priorities on participant wellbeing and player safety.  

“Kōrero About It aims to encourage open conversations and create more supportive environments for those who are experiencing mental health challenges. The campaign will drive positive mental wellbeing messages in our communities and ensure mental health information is more accessible no matter where you are,” Grimshaw said. 

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a partner of Mind Set Engage and Chief Executive Shaun Robinson showed his support for the initiative. 

“Mind Set Engage uses authentic role models who safely share the strategies that keeps them mentally well, along with how to get back on track when it’s not going well. They play an important part in reducing the stigma that often sits with mental health and give people the encouragement to flourish,” Robinson said. 

NZR Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing Dr. Nathan Price echoed those thoughts and said having recognisable faces helps reduce the stigma that can still exist around mental health, not only in rugby but in our society. 

“We are immensely proud of our ambassadors who have shown their openness to talk about personal moments and challenges faced. Sometimes we need to hear it from someone else that it’s ok to not be ok and ask for help when you need it, and we know rugby and its professionals can reach a wide audience,” Price said.  

The NZR Mind Set Engage ambassadors talk specifically to the power of vulnerability and that although it takes signifcant courage to be vulnerable, it has been something that has helped them with their journey. 

“There is enormous strength in vulnerability and the way they role model this for others who may also be going through their own experiences is incredibly powerful,” Price said.