Reno is the founder and creative director of Dinosaur Club. In his candid conversation, Reno shares his deeply personal journey with mental health, driven by the loss of close friends to suicide and his own decade-long struggle with depression, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar disorder. Despite having a supportive upbringing, Reno began experiencing severe mental health challenges in his late teens, leading to multiple suicide attempts.

He opens up about the difficulty of living with these thoughts, the role of substance abuse in his journey, and the relentless battle against the "demons" that wear down the mind. Reno's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of speaking up, especially for men facing mental health challenges. Reno is a huge advocate for telling your friends you love them, as the power of these three words can save someone's life. \

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Whitney-Lee is a resilient wahine Māori who has channeled her challenging past into a powerful platform for advocacy and healing. Growing up amidst severe trauma, including abuse and instability, Whitney-Lee faced significant hardships in her early years.

Whitney-Lee's journey is marked by her determination to overcome adversity, and connecting to her whakapapa and rongoā Māori. Her experiences embracing holistic healing practices have given her a way of healing that best resonates with her. Whitney-Lee now dedicates her life to helping others, particularly Māori, by integrating traditional Māori healing practices into her work in mental health. 

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Growing up in a dysfunctional family, Paora quickly became the emotional support for both his younger and older siblings, while also navigating bullying and racism at school. The weight of these responsibilities and experiences left Paora feeling isolated, hopeless, and disconnected from a sense of belonging. For years, he coped by running from his pain, turning to substances to numb his emotions.

But in his early 20s, everything caught up with him. Faced with a breaking point at work, Paora knew it was time to address the trauma that had been following him for so long. On October 9, 2023, Paora made a life-changing decision to seek help and prioritise his mental health. Through therapy, journaling, and a commitment to self-love, he has been able to heal and rediscover his inner strength. Now, Paora shares his journey to inspire others, encouraging young people who may be in similar situations to keep pushing forward, surround themselves with positive influences, and believe in their own potential.

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Mekaylar's story reflects the complexities of growing up as a first-generation New Zealander and facing cultural and family expectations. From a young age, she faced relentless bullying at school—physically, verbally, and psychologically—simply for being different. As a child navigating a strict household, Mekaylar struggled with the pressure to be perfect in everyone’s eyes, balancing the dual roles of a tough, ideal daughter and a stand-in caretaker for her siblings. Her early life was shaped by these demands, leaving little room to express her struggles.

Mekaylar faced significant trauma, including sexual abuse, PTSD and chronic illness, and eventually sought help through counselling. This pivotal moment allowed her to understand and process her emotions, and create a safe space to talk openly about mental health. Mekaylar speaks out about the importance of treating your mental illness like a friend rather than a disease, and maintaining faith that you will find people who uplift and support you. She is a strong advocate for Pasifika communities and for challenging outdated ideologies that often prevent open dialogue around mental health.

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Brielle is a counselor who has transformed her personal journey with mental health into a powerful means of supporting others. Drawing from her own experiences with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), she has become a beacon of hope for those navigating similar challenges. Despite enduring bullying, emotional dysregulation, and a lengthy road to diagnosis, Brielle's resilience has been a driving force in her life.

Diagnosed with BPD at the age of 30 while living in England, she gained a deeper understanding of herself, which helped strengthen her relationships, especially with her family. Today, Brielle is committed to shedding light on the realities of living with BPD, serving as a voice of hope and empowerment for others. Her passion lies in ensuring that people understand a fulfilling, joyful life is entirely possible with BPD.

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Rosy is a passionate advocate for mental health, and is currently working in corporate mental health and pursuing a psychology degree at university. Raised in Hawke's Bay, she enjoyed a happy childhood in a loving family. However, about four years ago, despite doing all the things that are supposed to help with mental health, Rosy began experiencing symptoms of depression.

This struggle was compounded by a sense of shame because her life seemed perfect on the outside. As her depression intensified, Rosy felt increasingly isolated and hopeless. She eventually opened up to her mother and sought help from a psychiatrist, who diagnosed her with depression.

This diagnosis, while daunting, allowed her to begin her recovery. Through her journey, Rosy learned the importance of sharing her experiences. Initially, she began speaking openly about her struggles with her family and then with a trusted colleague. Over time, she found that the more she shared her story, the easier it became, and the feelings of shame and embarrassment started to fade. Rosy continues to advocate for open conversations about mental health, encouraging others to share their stories and seek support. Her story reminds us that mental distress does not have a “look” and that your feelings are valid, no matter what your life looks like.

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Peleti's life embodies a powerful journey of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless pursuit of healing not only himself but others. Through challenging personal experiences, including the tragic loss of his brother to suicide, Peleti has become a leader of hope and change. 

Coming from a traditional Samoan background, Peleti witnessed a community grappling with his brother’s tragic loss in different ways, from indifference to blame, all shadowed by the church's silence.

Peleti dreams of a cultural shift, urging families to break the cycle of silence and embrace therapy and open conversations about trauma. He envisions a world where healing starts at home, where anyone, regardless of their struggles, finds the courage to seek inner peace.

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Originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vira’s journey to Aotearoa as an asylum seeker marked a radical shift from a communal, family-centric upbringing to a society starkly different in its individualistic values. Accompanied by her elder sister and mother upon arrival in New Zealand, her father joined them later in her adolescence. 

Vira vividly recalls her mother's struggles, enduring biases in the workforce and facing societal prejudices while she, as a child, faced racial discrimination in school. These experiences left lasting impressions, fueling Vira's determination to create awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by migrants and refugees.

Through her experiences, Vira emphasises the significance of vulnerability and seeking support. She encourages others to lean on their communities, share their experiences, and understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Grateful for her family's unwavering support, especially her mother's influential role, Vira stands as an inspiration, urging others to confront challenges with resilience and optimism, knowing that brighter days await.

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Vikram's life has been one of navigating love, loss, and an unyielding pursuit of hope. Born and raised in Singapore, his heart was intertwined with his family, especially his beloved mum, who imparted values of resilience and compassion. Vikram's world shattered at the age of 12 when his mother passed away, leaving him feeling lost in a society that rarely discussed mental health. Amidst more heartaches, including the loss of his father at the age of 21, Vikram was reminded that life is short, and every moment with loved ones is precious.

In search of a new beginning, Vikram found himself drawn to Aotearoa, enticed by the prospect of a community that embraced open conversations about emotional and mental well-being. New Zealand provided a place where he could confront his pain and grapple with his profound loss. 

Vikram's message is powerful in its simplicity: "It's okay not to feel okay. Seek help, embrace your journey, and treasure every moment, for your strength emerges from the challenges you face."

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Before anything else, Rachel is a loving mum and partner, a social worker, a DJ and a champion for social justice. Rachel describes her upbringing as “colourful and challenging”. Rachel faced adversities that shaped her life,  including experiences of sexual violence and the onset of a methamphetamine addiction at the remarkably young age of fourteen. She fell into a world of substance abuse and found solace among a group of individuals sharing similar traumas. The path led her through crime, toxic relationships and entrenched in a dangerous lifestyle. As she embarked on her journey of healing, Rachel underwent rehab and therapy, emphasising the importance of self-love and personal responsibility in the healing process. 

Her story is an anthem to activism and community service, a profound reminder of the human capacity to heal from trauma and use it to create meaningful change for both ourselves and others.

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