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Wellbeing + resilience

To recognise the importance of looking after your own health and wellbeing and mental resilience, as well as your patients’ we’ve created this page to share how our members are doing just that.

As specialist GPs and rural hospital doctors you spend your lives care for your communities. Taking take care of your own health and Hauora is vital to being able to do that well.

World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) is held every year on 19 May to recognise the crucial role that GPs, family doctors and primary care teams play in healthcare systems around the world. Established by WONCA, this day celebrates your vital contribution to delivering personalised, comprehensive and continuous care to patients and communities.

The 2025 World Family Doctor Day theme is Building mental resilience in a changing world and is about showcasing the pivotal role of you and your teams in supporting mental health and resilience – both your patients, and your own.

  • Primary care builds mental resilience. You are uniquely positioned to nurture mental wellness through continuous person-centered care, early intervention, and holistic support, helping patients to manage life’s stressors effectively
  • Doctor wellbeing and patient care form a virtuous circle. GPs who prioritise their own mental health can provide better care, creating a positive feedback loop where both doctors and patients thrive and enhancing community resilience
  • Mental wellness is about resilience and adaptability, not perfection. We advocate shifting perceptions from the unattainable ideals of mental health to promoting resilience and adaptability, empowering individuals and communities to navigate life’s challenges constructively.

Member benefits

Below are links to stories that have already been shared by our members. We hope this gives you ideas and inspiration and encourages you to ensure your own mental and physical health and wellbeing is prioritised.

If you would like to share your story about how you prioritise your health or wellbeing and/or your patients, please email the communications team at commuications@rnzcgp.org.nz and we’d love to share your story.

Resilience

Health + wellbeing

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