Suicide — breaking down stigma

Comedian turned mental health campaigner Mike King is bringing his message of hope to Kaikohe to reduce Northland’s alarmingly high youth suicide rate.

Mr King and seven like-minded people are driving from Bluff to Cape Reinga on 50cc motor scooters with stops at 50 towns along the way.

The aim of the four-week I Am Hope tour is to break down the stigma associated with youth suicide, and give communities a way of connecting with young people who are struggling.

While in the mid North Mr King will give a free public talk, suitable for all ages, from 6pm on Thursday, at the Kaikohe Memorial Hall on Memorial Drive.

The co-host of the Nutters Club radio show on Newstalk ZB said his unorthodox methods and openness allowed him to connect emotionally with young people who faced the highest risk of self-harm.

“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,” Mr King said.

“Our youth want to feel connected, understood and not judged. We know that shame is a huge factor in talking about depression and mental illness. We’re here to say there is no shame in battling mental illness and many people suffer from it, but something can be done about it. We can help our young people by showing them that we care.”

One strategy is a wristband signalling the wearer is a safe person to talk to, encouraging young people to open up about their struggles.

Well-known New Zealand artists including Dick and Otis Frizzell and Kerikeri’s Lester Hall have hand-painted the eight scooters with their own interpretations of the I Am Hope message. ■