King taking hope on road
Mental health advocate riding 4000km to tell youth there’s no shame in battling illness
To address youth suicide, mental health advocate Mike King is going on a 4000km journey by motor scooter.
The four-week campaign will see the former comedian and seven others ride scooters from Cape Reinga to Bluff to raise awareness and encourage openness within communities when others come seeking help.
King plans to visit 48 towns for 70 talks over 25 days from March 1.
“We can help our young people when they feel like they’ve hit rock bottom.
“By listening to them without judgment, without perpetuating the old Kiwi ‘ toughen up mate’ attitude, we can show them it’s okay to feel down, lonely, and sad, but that there’s a light at the end of tunnel, there is hope,” King said.
King’s unorthodox method of opening up and connecting emotionally with young people made the topic more accessible, he said.
Young Kiwis wanted to feel connected and not judged, he said, emphasising that “there is no shame in battling mental illness”.
“Many people suffer from it, but something can be done about it. We can help our young people by showing them [we care], and we’re there.
“We are here to empower them by stripping away shame from their thoughts and feelings, and letting them know they can make it through.”
Kiwi artists Mr G, real name Graeme Hoete, Dick Frizzell and Otis Frizzell had painted the campaign scooters, each depicting their own interpretations of the “I Am Hope” message.
“I Am Hope” was designed as a wrist band to signal that the wearer is a safe person to talk to, to encourage young people, or people strug- gling internally, to verbalise their struggles with somebody they feel safe with, King said.
The hope was to break down “one of the most significant barriers for those with any level of depression, especially teenagers”.
King was one of three finalists for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards.
Past competition winners include Taika Waititi, Richie McCaw, Sir Stephen Tindall and Dr Lance O’Sullivan.
The winner will be revealed on February 22.