One of Aotearoa's funniest guys has shared a difficult part of his life in a bid to help others struggling with their mental health.
Joe Daymond is one of 10 young people featured in Voices of Hope's latest project 'Not Alone', where they each share a letter talking about their individual battles with mental illness.
The 'Celebrity Treasure Island' star, addressing his note to anyone who could be feeling low, writes about "carrying all this weight he didn't understand" when he was a teenager at boarding school:
I tried to push through, pretending everything was fine, but the cracks kept showing.
Joe read his letter aloud with a group of the other 'Not Alone' participants, revealing that the "hardest part" of his journey was admitting he needed help.
"I’d spent so much time thinking I had to handle it on my own," he said.
"But when I opened up to one person - just one - it started to shift things. It wasn’t like everything got better overnight, but it gave me a bit of space to breathe."
Joe added that the best thing someone did for him was "just listen - no judgment, no 'fix it' advice - just being there".
More than half of Kiwis between 15 and 25 experience mental health issues, and Voices of Hope's mahi aims to "empower and inspire" them to "build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental health." You can read Joe's full letter here, along with the other nine, and check out more content from Voices of Hope. The charity is co-founded by Jazz Thornton and Genevieve Mora, who both look to share their lived experiences with a vision to support those in need.
Genevieve's podcast, 'A Moment With…' features a bunch more inspiring stories. You can find that right here on rova:
If you or someone you know is having a hard time, help is available:
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline– 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Suicide Crisis Helpline– 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Healthline– 0800 611 116
Samaritans– 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline– 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
www.depression.org.nz– includes The Journal online help service.
SPARX.org.nz– online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
OUTLine NZ – 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support.
Youthline– 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
thelowdown.co.nz– or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626.
What's Up– 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 12noon–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available from 3pm–10pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays.
I AM HOPE- FREE TEXT OR CALL 1737 - available any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also provide funding for young people aged 05-24yrs to get counselling.
Shine– 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline.
Women's RefugeCrisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family).
Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence).
Rape Crisis – 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault).
