November 03, 2023
Gumboots on for mental health
It’s Gumboot Friday today – where people are encouraged to wear gumboots and donate to the charity helping thousands of Kiwi kids deal with mental health traumas.
Mike King, the organiser and founder of the ‘I am Hope’ charity, says it’s funding 34oo counselling sessions a month – but there’s a need for double that number.
He says the majority of later-life traumas happen because issues are suppressed for years – instead of being tackled immediately.
“Sexual abuse is the giant elephant in the room when it comes to mental health issues. One in four girls in this country is sexually abused – and one in eight boys. So its one of those things that is an underlying thing,” Mr King says.
I Am Hope now has more data than government agencies … but funding keeps being funnelled into expensive and far less effective programs.