Tauranga businesses and golf enthusiasts have a chance to rub shoulders with sporting personalities and musicians on the fairway while making a difference to young people’s mental health.
The I Am Hope Charity Golf Day at Tauranga Golf Club on October 23 promises a day of golf, networking and entertainment – all in support of the foundation’s work connecting young people with free counselling.
Teams of four are encouraged to register for the event, which will feature a charity auction and evening celebration at the clubhouse.
I Am Hope partnership manager Richie Barnett said the need for youth mental health support was growing, while some of the foundation’s traditional fundraising income had dropped considerably.
“The need is really skyrocketing around the country,” the former professional rugby league player said. “We’ve had the highest suicide rate for youth in our country for a long time.”
How funding works
Barnett said a key challenge was ensuring people understand how I Am Hope’s funding works.
“There is the perception that I Am Hope is getting a lot of money from Government, but that funding goes directly to the counsellors. Additional fundraising is needed to maintain the platform that connects young people with counsellors. We work to make accessing support faster and easier for young people, but the platform is very expensive to run because we’ve got 936 counsellors on board, with onboarding, off-boarding, compliance, and upgrades.”
Barnett said the foundation provides about 3000 free counselling sessions a month, with young people typically waiting four or five days to access support.
“It’s crazy good. It just takes all the red tape out, the constraints to getting immediate support for our kids,” he said.
For Barnett, the work goes beyond connecting young people with professional help. It’s about changing attitudes towards mental health and giving young people the confidence to speak up.
Like a gym
Barnett said counselling should be viewed as a proactive step towards wellbeing, rather than something people turn to only when they reach crisis point.
“It’s okay to go see a counsellor, it’s actually just like going to the gym,” he said.
I Am Hope partnership manager Richie Barnett is looking forward to businesses registering teams in support of youth mental health for a day of golf at Tauranga Golf Club. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
He hoped the golf day would connect businesses and community members with the cause, encourage open conversations and generate funds to sustain the foundation’s work.
For the event, team entry includes four players, 18 holes of golf, a barbecue, a welcome from I Am Hope founder Mike King, prizegiving and the evening function. Registration opens at 11am for a 12.30pm shotgun start.
There will be an opportunity to bid for a chance to play alongside well-known sporting personalities, cricketers, rugby and rugby league players, and musicians.
The evening celebration will include prizegiving, food, entertainment and a charity auction. Partners, friends and supporters who don’t play golf are also welcome.
Register now
Auction items include a golf getaway at Kinloch or Queenstown, a Bay of Islands fishing trip with Matt Watson, a Warriors rugby league jersey and racing boots donated by Kristy and Jared Lawson.
Barnett said the event was ultimately about recognising the challenges people face and showing youth they don’t have to struggle alone.
“It’s just respect for people that are going through tough times. It’s a tough time out there now.”
Businesses are urged to register early, with entries and sponsorship opportunities limited.
Visit https://forms.gle/RU5CQEyZk2w4wFsbA, email admin@taurangagolf.co.nz or phone 07 578 8465.
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 7am to midnight)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• I Am Hope: www.iamhope.org.nz Free call or text 1737 anytime to talk with a trained counsellor 24/7.
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• What’s Up: 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 0800 000 053
• Samaritans crisis helpline: 0800 72 66 66 (available 24/7)
• Grief Support Services – bereaved by suicide service: 07 578 4480
• Aoake te Rā – bereaved by suicide service: 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.