Richard Thorburn

I was born in Scotland and lived there until I met my New Zealand wife in 2009. We moved back to Aotearoa in 2012 and now have two kids, a mortgage, and I am a fully-fledged New Zealand citizen.

Mental health first came into my life before I was mature enough to understand it. My mum has lived with depression for more than 25 years, and in recent times I have also lost family members through mental health challenges and addiction.

For years I experienced anxiety and imposter syndrome. Becoming a dad brought those struggles sharply into focus. At the end of 2021 I reached a turning point: I was deeply unhappy, unfit, drinking too much and difficult to be around. A close friend drove through the night to see me and got me up Mount Maunganui.

That day made it clear something had to change. I set small health goals, improved how I ate, stepped away from alcohol and caffeine for a time, started exercising and used EAP counselling to unload and process what I was carrying. I am far from a finished article, but I understand that recovery can be an uphill battle and that our struggles should not be diminished by comparison.

After meeting Craig through work, I recognised how closely parts of his journey mirrored my own. I wanted to step up and do my bit for MATES Matter — to be there for the mates I know now and those I have yet to meet.

I am humbled and honoured to be part of this vitally important mahi.