Elizabeth Davies encourages support for Youth Line, an organisation dedicated to helping young people overcome their struggles

By Elizabeth Davies

Everyone has one or two issues which sit particularly close to their heart. For me that issue is youth suicide.

Mental illness has not only affected many of my friends and family, it’s also something I’ve struggled with since I was 14.

Earlier this year a girl called Dani took her own life. She was not the first and she will not be the last. Her loss hit everyone very hard. I didn’t know her well, she was a pretty girl I’d met only a few times on passing social occasions, and yet even I was struck by the tragedy of her loss.

In a testament to the strength of her friends, they decided to channel their grief into a fundraising mission for Youth Line, an organisation devoted to helping young people overcome their struggles.

Friends Rachel Flood and Demelza Harvey decided to start a series of fundraising activities culminating in running the Auckland marathon. Through charity auctions, music gigs and marathon sponsorship they have managed to raise $5,160 so far, overtaking their initial goal of $5000 and placing them in the top five fundraising groups for the ASB Auckland marathon.

It costs $800,000 a year to run Youth Line’s 24 hour help line with volunteers contributing 53,000 hours each year. Every $1.50 raised keeps that help line functioning for another minute. The entire organisation relies on those like Dani’s friends and family who are determined to fund the help that, on a daily basis, saves young people’s lives.

At a time when many people would lose all hope, these incredible people are fighting to restore hope in others.

Suicide is one of New Zealand’s darkest issues, most often affecting the young and the elderly. Despite how many people are affected by these tragedies the subject is still too often silenced, shrouded by secrecy, shame and euphemisms.

Slowly New Zealand seems to be taking a step in the right direction, finally realising that silence doesn’t save people.

John Kirwan won my heart when he stepped into the spotlight of mental health. As an All Black and rugby coach he is the very definition of classic Kiwi masculinity. His book ‘All Black’s don’t cry’ confirms that mental illness isn’t picky, it can affect anyone, rich, poor, young, old, successful or struggling.

In another equally as important step, JK’s new book ‘Stand by me; helping your teen through tough times’ emphasises the importance of communication. All too often parents admit that they had no idea their child was depressed. Sometimes we hide it very well. I cannot overstate the importance of opening up the conversation in the home, the school, socially and in the media.

On the Raise for Dani Facebook page the girls wrote, ‘Don't forget this. You are loved, you are important. You will be missed, your life has meaning and you will not feel this pain forever. There is always somebody there with a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. Just remember, you may feel on your own, but you are never alone.’

If you align yourself with one cause this year, make it Youth Line.

Do your part. Stop the silence, start the conversation.

To show your support for Dani’s friends and family donate here.

Or donate directly to Youth Line.

-------------------------------------------------

Elizabeth Davies is a 24 year-old graduate of the Auckland University of Technology post graduate journalism course. She lives with her partner in Epsom and spends her free time refurbishing vintage furniture and attempting to bake while fighting a daily battle against her bank balance. She writes a weekly article for interest.co.nz on money matters and financial struggles from a young person's perspective.