Out into the open
helping youth overcome mental health problem.
‘‘Ultimately, we want to see New Zealand’s suicide statistics become the lowest,’’ Thornton said.
Seeing young people struggle with mental health was ‘‘heartbreaking’’, so the duo from Auckland began sharing their stories as part of an online campaign. Now, they’re touring New Zealand Schools and encouraging youth to use their voice.
Tears flowed from the eyes of both pupils and teachers during their talk at St Peter’s College.
Year 11 pupil Hikitia Te Putu, 15, said she had already lost a handful of friends to suicide.
She agree that it was ‘‘really important to talk about it’’ and encourage people to ‘‘speak up’’.
Mora said she wants to ‘‘get rid of the stigma’’ around mental health issues.
The 22-year-old founder admitted she had battled with stress, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression in the past.
Although she felt ‘‘100 times better’’ today, she said there would always be a small battle there. ‘‘I own it instead of it owning me.’’
Even stress, such as that felt by pupils during exam periods, was something young people might need to talk about, she said.
Year 13 pupil Ainsleigh Wills was emotional at the assembly, because she could ‘‘relate to what they have gone through’’.
The 17-year-old said too many people her age felt embarrassed to talk about their issues and were worried they would be seen as attention seekers.
But, after listening to the powerful speeches, she felt inspired and was sure she ‘‘can get through anything’’.
Although they were not health professionals, they were people who had seen into the eye of mental health and wanted to help others through it, Mora said.
When contacting schools, Mora was surprised when some said they didn’t have any problems, or had their own services. Throughout their tour, pupils had said ‘‘you just saved my life’’ to the pair.
Mora said mental health was a nationwide issue and young people needed to know there was someone there to talk to. She urged people to confide in mums, dads, aunties, neighbours, teachers, school councillors, or even people who did not know them that well – ‘‘really [just] someone you can completely trust’’. Palmerston North was the final stop for the tour.