New Zealand (Commonwealth Union)_ Jimi Hunt, a mental health advocate, author and motivational speaker, has been named as nib New Zealand’s first mental fitness champion. According to the insurer, the appointment is the result of a research indicating that 87% of New Zealand workers had experienced negative emotional effects at work at least once in the past three months. Among them are irritation (66%), anxiety (63%) and excessive concern (62%).
Hunt has made news with his many mental health awareness-raising initiatives. In 2012, he swam the length of the Waikato River on an inflatable mattress and in 2015, he made the longest waterslide in the world. In June, Stats NZ revealed a significant fall in the mental health of New Zealanders in the past three years, with 28% of respondents in 2021 reporting poor mental health. According to Rob Hennin, the chief executive officer of nib New Zealand, the alliance seeks to give Kiwis practical and accessible knowledge to foster and enhance mental resilience.
Expressing delight over the partnership Hennin said: “We’re excited to welcome Jimi Hunt as our first mental fitness champion. We hope to be able to share helpful advice and resources with members and the general public to promote proactive mental fitness in the workplace and at home. To welcome Jimi as part of the nib whanau and to share his knowledge with the wider community, complements our mission of supporting Kiwis’ better health and wellbeing.”
According to Hunt, the significance of being proactive, and not reactive, with regard to mental fitness is too often overlooked. “I’m really looking forward to being able to connect with and reach more New Zealanders who are willing to take the steps to improve their mental fitness,” he said. “This alliance is going to enable us to work collaboratively to achieve greater health and wellbeing outcomes for all involved. We encourage anyone who is interested in improving their mental health to join us on this journey.”
