Shave for Gumboot Friday

Hey Fam!

I'm Steph,

I face the constant reality of living with depression and anxiety. Many of whom have listened to my story, are unaware of the struggles of mental health and how crippling it can impact oneself. I am one of many who experience this and that is why I AM Hope needs our support. I am a Mental Health and addictions support worker, youth worker, community volunteer and currently an Alternative Ed tutor in South Auckland.

I am also the person behind Hood Beauty a mental health advocacy. A framework we created to navigate losing a loved one to suicide we created 'Just Another Day's Enough'. Over the course of four years myself & my team have witnessed how insignificant mental health support services in our communities are and the need to navigate the support approaches, interventions & safe spaces for our people.

I am fundraising to raise funds for Gumboot Friday. Once I hit $5000 I will shave my head on the 26th of November to advocate and support Gumboot Friday. It is through GF and IAH that there is hope and the work is still needing to be addressed. We know the realisties of losing a loved one to suicide. Our system is broken, it is the very system built that serves. One life is one too many! I have witnessed it first hand with the people I have had to support who desperately need help but are always turned away! Let's do this Aotearoa, let's work together for our youth of today!