METRONEWS
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Mental Health systems aren't catering to everyone

Charlotte Cook

Mental health systems are focused on people in crisis, not early intervention.


Comedian and mental health advocate Mike King said the healthcare system is targeting the wrong people.

Mike King is travelling the length of the country on mopeds with his 'I am Hope' tour raising awareness for early intervention.

King and his group are riding 50cc Suzuki Mopeds painted by different New Zealand artists with their message of hope. 

The comedian who has struggled with his own mental health said the systems in place focused on the crisis at the end, not helping people seek help before problems grow.

"Forty percent of children in New Zealand experience a personal crisis before they finish school, but 80 percent of those don't seek help for that ever."

He is using the tour to advocate for society to act early and change it's attitude towards mental health and suicide.