But rather than give into the darkness, he hopes to shine a light on positivity.
Mr Wilson, who performs under the moniker King Cass, has spent about a week in Dunedin filming his latest music video Push It to the Limit.
His latest project, an album titled Open Minds, is taking aim at suicide and he hopes the dialogue will raise awareness and aid prevention.
"Most of the lyrics are quite uplifting, quite positive. Hidden messages about success and how to search for the light," he said.
Suicide prevention was a topic which was particularly personal to him.
"There was a traumatic event in my life when I was 9," he said.
"I found my mum gassing herself and I saved her life.
"That was a very traumatic event for me to deal with at age 9.
"Twice I found my mum trying to commit suicide. Both at 9. It was one after the other."
But his brushes with the tragedy of suicide were not over, as he twice attempted to take his own life.
Couple with a diagnosis of ADHD at 6, Mr Wilson’s life was anything but straightforward.
"I doubted myself and hated myself and didn’t know why I was here," he said.
However, he would not reach rock bottom until last year, when he suffered from psychosis triggered by methamphetamine use.‘‘I started to think about satanic stuff,’’ he said of the pain which caused him to turn his life around.
"It took me on a really, really wacky journey — like The Wizard of Oz. I was walking around for two days trying to find something.
"I was just lost."
He was dropped off at his mother’s house by police. He broke down and she told him she would take him to a doctor.
"I said, ‘Is that the way out?’ and she said, ‘If you want it to be’," Mr Hunter recalled.
He checked himself into rehab and fought off his demons.
"I learnt I need to love myself before I could give anyone else hope or love," he said.
"I found myself."
While there he also reconnected with his passion for music and found his voice.
What followed was a whirlwind of writing and recording, which had culminated in a series of music videos, such as the collaboration with Black Kat Studio which he was working on in Dunedin at the moment.
"It’s almost like I’m the living proof that you can beat your demons and find success," he said.
"If someone’s got a dream, just grasp it, and if you get that negative vibe, just remember you can turn that around."
Mr Hunter said he hoped his latest album would be completed by about the middle of next year.
Suicide/depression related
Healthline 0800 611 116
Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797
General mental health inquiries 0800 44 33 66
The Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
Specific numbers for children
Youthline 0800 376 633 txt 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up (for 5-18 year olds; 1pm-11pm): 0800 942 8787
Kidsline (aimed at children up to age 14; 4pm-6pm weekdays): 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline)
Rainbow youth (LGBTQ youth helpline): (09) 3764155
Domestic Abuse
Women's Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843
Shine: 9am-11pm every day, 0508 744 633
Shakti: for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children. 0800 742 584
Rape Crisis: 0800 883 300
Others
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0800 367 222
Family Services Directory: 0800 211 211 or www.familyservices.govt.nz/ directory
Netsafe (online bullying, harassment or abuse): 0508 638 723
