Play mini putt at Masonic Park and score hole in one for kids' mental health

Carol Wilson, Tommy Wilson and Marcia Taikato-Whauwhau are gearing up for Gumboot Golf. Photo / George Novak

Rising youth suicide rates and a desperate need for te reo speaking counsellors has prompted one social agency director to get the community behind the country's at-risk children.

People in Tauranga can pitch in to raise money for children's mental health and have fun doing it by attempting a hole in one at Te Tuinga Whānau's Gumboot Golf this Friday.

The event is being held as part of Mike King's Gumboot Friday campaign that aims to raise $2 million to fund counselling for school-aged children. People all across the country will be slipping on their gummies and bringing a gold coin to work or school.

For the Gumboot Golf event, Masonic Park in the CBD will be transformed into a mini putt course and people can come down, grab a $5 golf ball and have a go at putting it into a gumboot.

There will be courses for both little and big players to have a go.

Organiser Tommy Wilson from Te Tuinga Whānau said counsellors were desperately needed for the country's at-risk youth.

He said some people needed that helping hand or someone to walk them through their troubles and having that support gave them a "far better chance of conquering their self-esteem challenges".

Wilson said his social agency had seen an increase in young people, especially Māori, taking their own lives in the last year.

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice showed New Zealand's suicide rates had increased in the past four years.

Last year, 137 young people died by suicide and it was estimated another 3500 attempted to take their own lives.

Some kids were waiting up to six months to receive the counselling they urgently needed, Wilson said.

"Those are our kids."

He said he had seen a large number of families who had been affected by the loss of young one and the devastation this caused.

Counsellors who speak te reo would be beneficial, as some people wanted help from those who understood their culture, he said.

So far, the event has sold three hundred golf balls, with the goal of hitting 1000 on the day.

Each golf ball sold gave the buyer an entry into the "super prize", which was a night in a suite and breakfast in bed at Trinity Wharf in Tauranga.

There was also a $500 prize for a lucky person who gets a hole in one.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board clinical director mental health Fiona Miller said there were benefits in increasing access to counselling for adolescents.

She said they should have a particular focus on prevention and addressing the social determinants of health and early intervention.

Pāpāmoa artist Graham Hoete, better known as Mr G, said every single thing that put support behind the cause was great.

Mr G carved an iconic gumboot that stole the hearts of many New Zealanders and will auction it off to raise $1 million for Mike King's I Am Hope charity and its Gumboot Friday campaign.

GUMBOOT GOLF

- Masonic Park, The Strand
- Noon - 9pm
- $5 a golf ball
- Prizes to be won

IF YOU NEED HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or if you need to talk to someone else:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666