Mike King is scootering up NZ to save young lives

Mental health advocate Mike King is about to embark on a new crusade, this time aboard a scooter.

Kaikohe is on Mike King's itinerary. He will speak at a public event, all ages welcome, in the Kaikohe Memorial Hall at 6pm on Thursday March 29.

He and his fellow riders will spend the night there, and will complete the last leg of their ride to Cape Reinga next day.

Mental health advocate Mike King is about to embark upon a 4000km journey, from Bluff to Cape Reinga, aboard a 50cc motor scooter, to raise awareness about youth suicide and to encourage openness with those who seek help.

He and seven others will set off from Bluff on Thursday next week (March 1), with four weeks on the road ahead of them, stopping in 48 towns and giving 70 presentations over 25 days.

"We can help our young people when they feel like they've hit rock bottom," Mr King said.
"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 the tunnel, there is hope."

His unorthodox method of opening up and connecting emotionally with young people made the topic more accessible, he said. Young New Zealanders wanted to feel connected, and not judged. He wanted to get across the point that there was no shame in battling mental illness.

"Many people suffer from it, but something can be done about it.

"We are here to empower them by stripping away shame from their thoughts and feelings, and letting them know they can make it through."

Artists Mr G (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 had been conceptualised as a wrist band to signal that the wearer was a safe person to talk to, to encourage young people or people struggling internally to verbalise their struggles with somebody they felt safe with, Mr King added.

The hope was to break down one of the most significant barriers for those with any level of depression, especially teenagers.