Pearce, who is heading into his final week with some “pretty bad blisters”, said he’d experienced mental health struggles as a teenager and knew three local men – either friends or acquaintances – who had lost their lives to suicide over the past five years.
Pearce said he had observed that men in his age group in particular, as well as younger generations, had problems talking about mental health struggles.
“It’s been on my mind for probably the last four or five months,” he said, of doing something for Movember to promote men’s mental health.
“I wanted to do something big ... and I think mental health for me personally and for a lot of Kiwi men out there is very important.
“You have to be comfortable to talk about it.
“[A lot of] men in New Zealand like to hide away and shut it off.”
He encouraged men to talk to friends or family about their struggles, and said simply asking someone how they’re going or commenting “good morning” or “good evening” can go a long way.
“It is that simple and can make someone’s day.
“They could be having a terrible day and just saying ‘how’s your day going’, that can make their day.
“It’s important to be kind.”
Pearce, who admits he loves to keep busy, and also works part-time as a personal trainer, said focusing on health and fitness had helped him a lot.
“Getting people out there and moving the body is really important for mental health, and physical health as well, and I want to inspire people to get out there and move.”
He said friends had been great at supporting him with his goal, often joining him for a run.
On weekends and days when he is working one job (as a builder), he generally likes to run more than 20km in one hit.
On days when he is working two jobs, he likes to break up his runs into two smaller outings.
He has been getting up as early as 3.15am to fit in the kilometres, and has run a lot on the limestone tracks around Napier.
“For the last day of the month, the 30th, which falls on a Sunday, I am running a full marathon around Anderson Park,” he said, which will be 21 loops.
“Friends and family are going to come down and support.”
He expects to reach his total about 11am that day.
Pearce is also aiming to raise $2000 for men’s mental health this month, which he has almost surpassed.
You can donate through the Movember website, under his profile Matty Pearce, and follow his progress on Instagram page matts_training.
Suicide figures released for Hawke’s Bay
There were 30 suspected suicides in Hawke’s Bay during the 12 months to June 30.
Those annual figures were recently released by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
In comparison, there were 30 suspected suicides in the region during 2023/24, 25 in 2022/23, 26 in 2021/22, 33 in 2020/21, and a peak of 40 in 2019/20.
Hawke’s Bay currently has a rate of 16.2 suicides per 100,000 population, which is higher than the national average (11).
Nationally, the majority of suicides are among men.
Where to get help:
- Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
- Youth services: (06) 3555 906• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
- What’s Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
- Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
- Aoake te Rā – Free, brief therapeutic support service for those bereaved by suicide. Call 0800 000 053.
- • Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111
