%202.jpg)
When it comes to the subject of mental health in New Zealand, the conversation can be a difficult one to start due to the fact it has been an ongoing and delicate issue. One in six kiwis are diagnosed with a common disorder and suffer from some form of mental illness including depression, bipolar disorders and anxiety disorders. It has become a quiet crisis rising throughout both islands but meet one of the kiwis who is trying to change that.
Dylan Booth is a 21-year-old from Dunedin who's obsessed with catching the next big fish and has become an advocate for raising awareness towards mental health and illness. From birth, Dylan was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and has struggled with mental health and understands how important it is to ask for help during hard times.
"Having an illness (Cystic Fibrosis) means that I’m always battling with chest infections, being sick and spending a lot of time in hospital which really effects my mental health, but luckily I have great friends and family that I can talk to about how I feel. But with that being said, a lot of people don’t have that support to talk about problems and that’s where people don’t know how to handle it."
Now Dylan wants to take it a step further to raise awareness for mental health by aiming to fundraise and donate a goal of $500 to the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation. There will also be an auctioning off of a full day of guided fly fishing with the legend himself, Chris Dore on Trade Me. If you’ve ever dreamed about fly fishing for stunning browns or rainbows in New Zealand but wouldn’t dare to go without hiring a guide, this is a lifetime opportunity you can't miss!
If you're interested in taking part by supporting Dylan and donating to his cause, please follow the link I've attached below:
If anyone else would like to donate prizes towards the fundraiser that could also be auctioned off, please feel free to get contact Dylan as soon as possible.
For any further questions please contact Dylan by visiting either personal social media outlets, Facebook or Instagram which I've attached below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dylan.booth
Also, if you or someone is wanting to contact South Island fly fishing guide Chris Dore, you can reach him on Facebook by following the link below:
Finally, if you or a loved one live in New Zealand and are seeking help or assistance please visit the Mental Health Helpline website:
or call the Ministry of Health hotline:
Free call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor. The service is completely free.
Comments