This article has been republished with permission from New Zealand Rugby
Mental Health Awareness Week (September 18-24) is an initiative run annually in New Zealand by the Mental Health Foundation, with this year’s theme Five Ways, Five Days giving a set of proven tools to boost mental health when we need it.
One in five kiwis experience some form of stress, anxiety or depression. As part of the solution, New Zealand Rugby has its own mental health and wellbeing programme called Mind Set Engage focusing on workshop delivery around the motu.
Current Black Fern and Balance is Better Champion Maiakawanakaulani Roos joins the Around the Grounds podcast to chat through her sporting journey as a young professional rugby player, alongside Dom Vettise, NZR Clinical Psychologist, who adds his perspective as a mental health and wellbeing expert.
Being a professional athelete requires balance especially when dealing with workload on the body, deselection into teams, nurturing personal relationships and the impact it can have on our mental wellbeing as both Maia and Dom discuss.
Plus, Maia and Dom talk about their cooking skills in the kitchen and their priority during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Disclaimer  
The following podcast episode contains content about suicide which some viewers may find triggering. If you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood, thoughts of self-harm or just need to talk, you can free call or text 1737 to chat to a trained professional or visit your nearest GP if you’re overseas. 
About NZR Around the Grounds podcast
NZR Around the Grounds is a New Zealand Rugby podcast bringing you closer to our national game. Hear from people at the heart of rugby in Aotearoa New Zealand and get an inside view on the initiatives, stories and hot topics driving our sport.
You can listen on Spotify or watch below.Â