Empower.ed

This campaign aimed to raise awareness and provide education about eating disorders, emphasising lived experience, cultural understanding, and compassionate care. Rooted in my family’s journey and informed by co-design research, including high school focus groups, it applies social marketing and health behaviour insights to challenge stigma. By integrating Western and Māori perspectives, it offers holistic tools, real stories, and a message that eating disorders are not a choice but require patience and support. Collaborating with cultural advisors and launching He Papakupu: Ngā Māuiui Kai were first steps towards inclusive care.

The response to this platform has been incredibly moving, with 216 QR code scans from street and University posters during Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2024. Launched during this time, it was heartening to see how the content resonated with people, making them feel seen and understood. The website has welcomed 761 active users so far, and it's encouraging to see these numbers grow. The positive feedback has been deeply meaningful, reinforcing the importance of creating lived experience-informed, culturally inclusive resources that foster conversation and support recovery. I'm grateful for the engagement and the opportunity to contribute to this space.