I Am Hope is a charitable initiative known for its advocacy and support for mental health and well-being, particularly for youth. Launched by Mike King, a well-known New Zealand comedian and mental health advocate, Mike’s personal journey and challenges with mental health led him to be a vocal advocate for mental health support and awareness.
Since our inception in 2013, our driving force has been to instigate a positive shift in societal attitudes towards mental health. Our primary goal is to dismantle the stigma surrounding this crucial area. We aim to normalise the ‘inner critic’ β that small, persistent voice inside each of us that occasionally whispers doubts about our worthiness. Our school talks are designed to impart a vital message to young Kiwis: an overactive inner critic doesn’t signify mental illness; rather, it’s a hallmark of being human.
Today, the I Am Hope team consists of dedicated individuals across various fields. Each member brings their passion and expertise to deliver our diverse program and partnerships to the youth of New Zealand forever changing the stigma around mental health and ensuring no young person goes without support during the hard parts of their lives.