All profits will be donated to the I Am Hope Foundation.

The auction aims to raise significant funds for the I Am Hope Foundation mental health charity which supports New Zealand's youth.

Auction to fund mental health services

The house is expected to fetch between $1.775 and $1.8 million at auction, with hopes that generous buyers will help maximise the donation.

McGirr hopes to see a strong turnout from potential buyers, particularly those who are in a position to contribute significantly.

"I'd really like a couple of well-heeled Aucklanders to come down and pay top value" McGirr told Stuff.

Mike King praised the efforts behind the initiative, calling the project "incredible".

"We are truly amazed by the generosity of Fowler Homes and their support for the work we do at I Am Hope, especially at a time when so many kids are struggling" King said.

"Our goal is to ensure that every young person knows that support is available and they don't have to face their challenges alone."

Generous support for I Am Hope

The house, built by Fowler Homes Queenstown, is the result of collaboration between more than 50 businesses providing materials and services.

The project began when Jason and Jen McGirr of Fowler Homes were inspired by Mike King, the founder of I Am Hope, during a radio segment discussing the charity's struggles with funding.

"He was sharing all the problems they had in raising enough funds to provide the incredible service they do to improve mental health in our young people.

"When you have a bloke crying on air, you know it's for real" McGirr said.

The McGirrs, who have children themselves, decided to act and enlisted businesses to support the project.

Business community rallies together

The McGirr's efforts resulted in more than 50 suppliers coming on board to help build the house. "Nobody said no when I asked" Jason McGirr stated.

"People have been so generous, although I did turn away some of the smaller trades who were the sole income earners for their families."

Prominent backers included Burton Partners which offered legal services pro bono, and Nexia accountants who joined immediately.

John Bolton of Squirrel [an investment and mortgage company] also contributed early on with funding, alleviating much of the financial stress associated with the project.

Source

• Stuff

The inquiry highlights a surge in absenteeism, which the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated. Disturbingly, nearly half of all students are reported to have missed about one in every ten school days last year, emphasising the need for immediate action.

The investigation draws attention to the consequences of debilitating anxiety related to attending school, which has led to some children resorting to or contemplating suicide. In light of these tragic outcomes, the inquiry demands a more comprehensive approach to tackling the mental health challenges faced by students.

The report underscores the urgency of embracing flexible alternatives to conventional teaching strategies to better accommodate those grappling with school attendance difficulties.

Revealing a disturbing facet of the issue, the inquiry discloses instances where schools have resorted to threats of fines and legal action against families rather than extending assistance to help anxious children re-engage in their educational journey.

The report even details cases where parents' relationships have crumbled under the pressure, and children have expressed a preference for death over attending school.

School refusal is not truancy

The Senate education committee's report underscores the profound impact of "school refusal" on the overall well-being of young individuals. It emphasises that these young minds are desperate to access education, establish connections with peers and shape their aspirations for the future.

Regrettably, for many, school itself has become a source of trauma and anxiety that they are unable to surmount.

The inquiry underscores that "school refusal" is distinct from truancy, with its root causes lying in "anxiety and shame."

Mental health challenges, bullying and learning setbacks during the pandemic have all contributed to the amplification of school anxiety. As a consequence, the report calls upon state and territory governments to overhaul child health screening programmes for early detection of autism, ADHD, anxiety and learning disorders, while also advocating for additional support.

The committee proposes expanding Medicare subsidies to grant children access to more than the current allotment of 10 visits to counsellors or psychologists annually, despite existing "significant wait times."

Furthermore, the inquiry underscores the necessity for better training for teachers and principals in handling attendance-related challenges and the incorporation of specialised staff within schools.

The report maintains that the conventional schooling system may not be suited for all children, advocating for greater flexibility. This flexibility could include focusing on specific subjects of interest, part-time attendance, or even remote learning.

Senators assert that a more balanced approach between academic achievement and well-being would yield benefits for all students, especially those grappling with "school refusal."

Sources

The Australian

CathNews New Zealand

The former comedian offered his advice when he joined host Simon Bridges on Stuff's Generally Famous podcast. He also spoke of his own battle with addiction, transition from stand-up, and cancel culture.

During the podcast, King, who aims to normalise conversations about mental health among young people through the I Am Hope foundation, posed the following question.

"What are we all doing to make it okay for... everybody to reach out and ask for help? We're not doing enough.

"I need people to take off their masks of invincibility and start talking about what is going wrong with them. By being stoic, it's having a devastating effect on our kids' lives."

Mental health tips for parents

The first piece of advice King, a former New Zealander of the Year for his mental health work, told Bridges:

• "Parents should allow children to see their vulnerabilities".

He said children have told him they stopped speaking to their parents about their mental health because of the way the parents had responded.

As an example, he spoke of a boy talking to his father about problems with his girlfriend. His father's response was:

"Don't worry son, happens to everybody - let Dad tell you the story about what happened to him.

"So what you think you're saying to your child is, ‘this is a universal-shared experience, we all go through it'.

"[But] what your son is hearing is, ‘so whenever I talk about me, you make it about you and how you got through it, so you're Captain Perfect and I can't talk to you about anything'".

King's second piece of advice for parents is to:

• "Stop telling their kids they just want them to be happy".

He explained "Your kids are hearing, ‘I can only talk to you when I'm happy, because if I'm not happy, I'm disappointing you'".

The mental health industry

King is scathing of what he calls the mental health "industry".

There are three key components, he says, with academics and clinicians, the "happily married people", telling the public ("the wayward child") what to do rather than listening to them.

Source

• Stuff

Where to find help and support:

• Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
• Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
• Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812
• Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
• Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
• Samaritans - 0800 726 666
• Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
• Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626
• What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
• Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
• Yellow Brick Road 0800 732 825
• Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

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