On the 17th of June, Tauranga Girls’ College students had the privilege of listening to a presentation by members of the mental health initiative Voices Of Hope.

Representatives from the organisation, Genevieve Mora, Jazz Thorton, and Tai Tupou discussed their struggles with mental health and illness in an effort to raise awareness and muster support for akonga who may be struggling themselves. Topics of discussion included the stigma around mental health, the biases that may prevent someone from seeking help, and the reality of mental illnesses such as OCD and eating disorders.

The speakers were clear, engaging, and had the school hanging onto their every word - certainly not an easy feat. They brought a personal element to discussions of mental health, and it’s clear that every student in that hall walked out a more informed and aware person. 

We wish the team good luck for the rest of their tour and sincerely thank them for their visit to our Kura.

Article by Gayathri Dinesh