Just keep swimming.
It is the mantra of popular animated film character Dory, in Finding Nemo, and Matilda Garnett swears by it.
She is swimming 607m in the ocean every day with her friends to raise awareness of the 607 people who committed suicide in 2021 and to raise funds for I Am Hope.
She started the project in mid-January and plans to continue until mid-February.
She was inspired to start the challenge after losing a family member to suicide last year.
She said she found herself in a rut, and on the spur of the moment, decided to go swimming to help motivate herself to get back on track.
"I was in that place where I couldn’t really bring myself to do anything. Coming into this year, I really just wanted to make some change."
"It’s kind of the same for mental health - you have those ups and downs. You never know what each day will bring.
"Doing it with mates also makes it a lot easier, and it’s like the real world where friends can help you through mental health challenges.
"I’m no athlete, so this is definitely a challenge, but it’s nowhere near what many people struggling with their mental health go through on a daily basis."
The challenge had been great for her own mental health, and was raising awareness of the country’s mental health issues at the same time, she said.
New Zealand had one of the highest rates of suicide in the OECD, and its mental health system needed to make some changes to address the needs of New Zealanders, she said.
She has set up a Givealittle page and so far, she has raised more than $1000.
Need help?
Need to talk?: 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
Healthline: 0800 611-116
Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans: 0800 726-666
The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
Youthline: 0800 376-633, text 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
What’s Up: (for 5 to 18-year-olds; noon-11pm): 0800 942-8787
Kidsline: (aimed at children up to age 18): 0800 54-37-54 (0800 KIDSLINE)
