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Home / Manawatu Guardian

Peonies with a purpose: Helping with access to mental help support

By Merania Karauria
Manawatu Guardian·
20 Oct, 2020 12:29 AM4 mins to read

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JillyBud florist Chloe Sturm with a bunch of Peonies for a Purpose campaign.
JillyBud florist Chloe Sturm with a bunch of Peonies for a Purpose campaign.

JillyBud florist Chloe Sturm with a bunch of Peonies for a Purpose campaign.

Peony roses bloom October to December and bouquet sales in the Peonies with a Purpose campaign will help those with a mental illness access support.

Each bouquet or bunch of peonies bought at a participating retailer will give $1 to the Mental Health Foundation.

Chloe Sturm, a florist at Jillybud on George St was a teenager when she started experiencing social and general anxiety.

"I left school because of it," Sturm says.

The condition still afflicts her, but she recognises the triggers and has the tools to manage the anxiety.

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Sturm says having the right people around her who will talk to her, helps.

"People freeze and don't know what to say.

"All they need to do is ask, 'are you okay?'"

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Sturm says, depending on

how quick the anxiety comes on, she can assess it and, if serving customers,

can excuse herself and go to the back of the shop for a quiet moment.

Jillybud's Jilly Bainger says just because someone has a mental illness does not mean they can't do the job.

"Chloe is a treasure."

The campaign is an initiative of Feel Good with Flowers and the NZ Peony Society.

Mental Health Foundation (MHF) chief executive Shaun Robinson says Covid-19 has been a challenge for many Kiwis and the much-needed funding will help support the more than 437,000 Kiwis who access its services each year.

"The impact on the MHF has been like a seesaw - need has gone up and fundraising has gone down.

"We have worked extremely hard producing 19 additional resources relating to Covid-19, especially those in distress, and we have supported a national wellbeing campaign.

"At the same time, lockdown has reduced our ability to raise funds through events, so we are extremely grateful for those in the community who continue to find ways to give," he says.

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"We're aware that many people have struggled with the challenges of Covid-19.

"It's important to acknowledge that our mental wellbeing changes with additional stress and recognising that it's okay to feel the changes.

"What is important is that people are connecting with each other, feel supported in their community and workplace and have access to professional support services if needed.

"Stress and anxiety are a normal response to such a big event and our resources can help guide people to better wellbeing or the service they require," says Robinson.

Feel Good with Flowers marketing manager Rebecca Jones says it has been a difficult year for many Kiwis and that peonies, which symbolise compassion, are the perfect flower choice for the charitable campaign.

"This year has been a particularly challenging time for all Kiwis as we have had to learn, adapt and change to suit the new Covid-19 climate.

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"New Zealanders have faced navigating new financial, emotional and everyday challenges that have had a profound effect on our mental health and wellbeing.

"We feel so fortunate to work in an industry in which the products and services we provide bring such happiness to others.

"We wanted to pass that feel good factor on and provide additional support to a charity that makes a difference in improving our community's mental, emotional and physical wellbeing," she says.

Jones says academic research has shown that those exposed to natural settings such as gardens, flowers or green spaces can have beneficial emotional and mental health benefits, and have a positive impact on a person's psychological, social, physical and cognitive wellbeing.

"Flowers spark such joy and we are incredibly blessed in New Zealand to grow and produce some of the best peonies in the world.

"We hope that funds raised in this campaign will help to brighten the lives of Kiwis who need it most."

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