Mental health advocate and 2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, Mike King is returning his New Zealand Order of Merit, and I for one respect his decision to stand up. 

He says our mental health system is still broken, so he doesn't feel comfortable keeping the medal.

Mike was awarded the honour last year for service to mental health issues and suicide prevention.

But he says no progress has been made, blaming it on separatist funding from the Government.

“It hasn’t worked for the last 30 years; it will not work for the next 30 years. If you want to lift the base line on anything, you lift it right across the board.” 

The topic of mental health is one I take an interest in, specifically men’s health. 

One in eight New Zealand men will experience serious depression during their lifetime. 

Shockingly, in New Zealand the suicide rate for men is three times that of women. 

Depression is more than a low mood. It is a serious illness that can need clinical treatment. 

Those with depression find it hard to function and it can have a serious effect on a person’s physical and mental health. 

There is a growing understanding that although mental health issues can be triggered by stresses in daily life, they are clinical diseases that often require outside help and medical treatment. 

I’ve dealt with depression at various stages in my life. The latest bout is what spurred me to turn my back on a more ‘serious’ career and break things down to a simpler life. 

The one in eight number, I think, is a low estimate, as my frank and honest conversations with men throughout my life and in Central Otago point to a much higher proportion. 

Men are still too afraid of letting their guard down and letting their feelings be known. 

While some men are more than eager to let their anger out, at the pub or on the rugby field (neither of which should be okay), they still find it hard to let any sadness out. 

I bet if they did recognise and release their sadness, they often wouldn’t feel the need to let any anger out. 

Many men aren’t able to navigate their way through the darkness and many often struggle to ask for help. 

Globally, a man takes his own life every minute. 

The system is broken and it isn’t just broken in Aotearoa New Zealand, but in almost every western nation. 

Prevention is always better than a cure and it starts at the beginning - breaking down society and understanding why people experience mental health issues in the first place. 

Government’s need to look at society, culture, purposeful living of citizens and stress. 

Only then can mental health be approached effectively and efficiently and yes, it starts with people like Mike King. 

For more information or to talk to someone about any difficulties that you or someone close to you might be having in their life, please contact:

• LIFELINE on 0800 543 354 or at www.lifeline.co.nz.

Visit the Central App’s mental health button

Factors which can contribute to depression in men:

• Physical health problems
• Relationship problems
• Family problems
• Employment problems
• Drug and alcohol consumption
• Social isolation
• Significant change in living arrangements (e.g. separation or divorce).

There are many things you can do that can help protect you from getting depressed. These include:

• Staying fit and healthy
• Reducing alcohol use
• Getting enough sleep
• Having balance in your life – identifying and managing stress
• Spending time with people you like and trust and doing things you usually enjoy
• Developing skills like problem-solving and communication
• Visit www.thelowdown.co.nz if you’re under 20
• or www.depression.org.nz for more information.

If you or someone you know is in a life threatening situation, call 111