Westpac Ambassador John Kirwan shares his personal story around depression, resilience, and hope, at Hastings Girls' High School, Hastings. Interview by Jonathan Dine. Video by Duncan Brown.
Sir John Kirwan knows first-hand how difficult it can be to admit depression.
The All Blacks legend was at Hastings Girls' High last night to tackle depression, resilience, hope and local struggling farmers.
The message Kirwan wanted to impart was simple: It is an illness, not a weakness, and suicideis not an option.
About 300 people turned out to hear Kirwan openly discuss his battles.
He said while the stigma was not as firmly attached today, mental illness was still deeply misunderstood.
"If you hurt your knee you'd go to the physio but people don't treat their minds the same way," Kirwan said.
"There is a high suicide rate in our rural areas and it's tough times for farmers at the moment. I don't pretend to relate to how hard it is because I'm a city boy but I think when your tough times turn into mental illness you need to reach out and get help.
