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Article from Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 on Mental Health foundation website by TIHANA BABIC
Set in Ōtautahi Christchurch, a unique community called Thriving Madly is making a difference in the lives of people who experience mental distress, addictions and/or neurodivergence.
Born from a kōrero among people working in other lived experience organisations, Thriving Madly set out to address a gap they saw in traditional support systems. Instead of looking at people’s diversity in a deficit-based way, this grassroots organisation celebrates people’s differences, achievements and shared experiences while supporting one another to foster a sense of belonging. Its members describe Thriving Madly as a place where they can be their authentic selves without judgement or expectation to perform societal ideas of ‘wellness’. The community holds space for individuals to navigate life's challenges together and find validation and safety when sharing personal experiences.
There’s a strong emphasis on ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’ in this community, an emphasis which creates a peaceful, low-pressure environment conducive to healing.
"Thriving Madly came to life from a shared desire to create something different — a place where people could be recognised for what they achieve despite the challenges they face,” one member shares."
“We didn’t want another service offering help based on what professionals thought we needed. Instead, we wanted to build a community that people could shape themselves, with no start or end date, no specific outcomes — just a space to be."
Belonging is cultivated in the community through intentional peer support practices, which allow authentic connections based on mutual respect and shared experiences to flow. There's no clinical or service-driven monitoring assessments — in this community (often likened to being part of a whānau) people are supported to heal in the way that suits them, and to feel supported even during isolated moments.
"For me, the training in intentional peer support has been transformative,” another member shares.
“It’s [peer support] taught me how to hold multiple truths, allowing us to better understand one another. There’s no power imbalance here — we meet as equals, and that sense of mutual respect and curiosity creates safety. I’ve learnt so much about myself and others because of this."
Thriving Madly is designed to welcome anyone who feels isolated or marginalised due to their mental health experiences — and this emphasis on inclusivity is key to its success. Its members notice each other, make introductions, and create a space where everyone can participate, however they feel comfortable. Accessibility is a priority, with events often held online to cater to those who prefer or require remote participation. This culture of acceptance is part of what makes the community so special and effective.
Thriving Madly has grown organically, with its activities and initiatives developed by the people who participate in them. One of their longest-running initiatives is the Black Dog Walk, a regular gathering where members meet up for a walk — with or without their dogs — and share a cuppa along the way. This simple yet powerful activity has become a cornerstone of the community, offering a relaxed setting where friendships blossom and new ideas take shape.
Thriving Madly members emphasise the importance of practising patience, gentleness, and self-discovery when working through distress. They stress the importance of finding a community that allows you to be yourself and remind others that community-building takes time but is an invaluable step towards healing.
"Turn up. Just show up to one of our events. When you meet someone you connect with, take that step forward — keep the connection going," another member says.
When asked what surprised them most about their journey with Thriving Madly, one member reflected on the true meaning of community. "Growing up, I thought community was just about where you lived. But this — Thriving Madly — has shown me what real community is.
“People get really creative in this environment, and we’ve achieved things together that none of us could have imagined."
Pāyal’s story
Pāyal Ramritu (they/them), a member of Thriving Madly, reflects on the profound sense of belonging and mutual support they’ve found within this unique space.
For them, Thriving Madly creates a place where everyone is free to navigate life together, a community of mutual support without the typical hierarchical dynamics that can be found in paid or service-based models. It's a community where people’s personal experiences take precedence over any professional roles or labels.Pāyal’s previous experiences with various communities often left them feeling alienated, despite sharing common interests or identities. In these spaces, they felt the need to conceal parts of themselves, feeling they were unable to speak their truth about their mental distress or life experiences. This changed when Pāyal became part of Thriving Madly. The community, with its emphasis on mutuality and intentional peer support, gave them a platform to engage without fear of judgement.
“Mutual relationships heal,” they say, describing the deep, reciprocal connections they’ve formed in this space.
As Pāyal recalls, during a recent personal crisis, they turned to the community’s Facebook group for advice. The wisdom and generosity of the group were invaluable, offering not only answers but also a sense of shared experience and understanding. Pāyal, who is based in Wellington, recently had the opportunity to meet the community in person during the Divergence Festival of Madness in Christchurch. It was an experience they describe as special and transformative, cementing the sense of belonging and connection they’ve fostered through Thriving Madly. The festival allowed them to experience the depth of their community support in person, reinforcing the strength and importance of these bonds.
For Pāyal, Thriving Madly is not just a group of individuals — it’s a true community of belonging where difference is celebrated.
"True community is not a monolith. And true community has the capacity to hold difference without erasing it," they note.
Thriving Madly is truly a space where the subjective experiences of life are embraced, and where every member’s truth can be held with care and respect.
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