In the wake of Christchurch’s devastating earthquakes, researchers found that many locals believed buildings were being given a higher priority than people. To help address those concerns, health authorities started the All Right campaign to encourage people to think about their mental health.

Beck, who was asked to create illustrations for the project, worked with Stephen McCarthy, Make Collective, Healthy Christchurch, CDHB and the Mental Health Foundation. The interactive website, www.allright.org.nz, gives advice based upon how a user is feeling. On the homepage, mood-related options such as ‘Tired’, ‘Angry’ and ‘Sad’ appear, with colours altering accordingly. Users then click through to relevant pages that offer down-to-earth advice and support.

“All Right is about helping people realise that they’re not alone, encouraging them to connect with others, and supporting them to boost their well being," says Sue Turner, Healthy Christchurch manager.

The campaign breaks new ground for treating mental health after a major disaster. "This is the first time a social marketing campaign focusing on mental health and wellbeing has been used following a major disaster”, Sue says. “We anticipate that what we’ve learned so far in the development of the campaign, and what we will continue to discover, will be of great benefit to future recovery efforts around the world."

Posts to the campaign’s Facebook page show it is already having a positive affect.