Suicide prevention service Hear4U to shut doors after funding struggle

Three months after a move to new premises, founder Krissy Mackintosh has made the agonising decision to close the doors to Gisborne’s Hear4U men’s mental health and suicide prevention charity. 

Based in Awapuni Rd, Hear4U will officially close on August 9, allowing time to support the transition of its clients. 

An ongoing funding struggle has come to a head for the charity, which in four years has saved lives, raised awareness around mental health and suicide, and had a huge impact on the people of Tairāwhiti. 

Mackintosh said It broke her heart and she “wraps my arms” around those individuals, whānau and organisations who had selflessly stepped up to help make a difference. 

But as the struggle to get funding got tougher, she found herself backed into a corner and something had to change. 

“It is those who could have helped but haven’t who have failed Tairāwhiti — that is what hurts the most.”  

Among the organisation’s many supporters is All Black great and Hear4U patron Ian Kirkpatrick, who describes the closure as a huge loss for everyone. 

“We would have lost so many if Krissy and the Hear4U team hadn’t been around. 

“What Krissy has done is obvious to the people and their families. We have been working hard to keep the doors open but there continued to be more and more who needed help, which is more funding, and we were struggling already.” 

Mackintosh said the charity made applications for all sorts of funding, made many proposals and continually went to organisations and people they thought would be interested in funding them in some way. 

“We have done everything we can to stay above the line. It is exhausting but this is my passion — to help. So many people have donated weekends and family time so that Hear4U could endure the most challenging times.  

“I have great empathy and admiration for that community spirit.” 

She knew how “ambitious and daring” it would be to set up an organisation that pushed the traditional boundaries and said despite the challenges she wouldn’t take a single minute of it back. 

“I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t tried. I refuse to be a backseat participant and not go out to try to change things.” 

Change things she did — “just one human at a time” and with the support of the wider Hear4U community. 

Over Hear4U’s four years, it supported over 3500 people, with 1800 coming through the doors in the past 12 months. 

“If we weren’t here, the outcomes would have been very different,” Mackintosh said.   

“The system doesn’t fit everyone and too many fall through the gaps.” 

Since experiencing what Hear4U can do, Mathew Downie had been an avid supporter. 

“It’s incredibly sad to see something disappear that is so positive for Tairāwhiti,” he said. “Its absence will definitely take its toll on our community and the wider region. 

“Krissy’s massive effort over the past four years in pushing for change while being attacked for standing up for Tairāwhiti men has changed so many lives for the better. 

“She has given power and healing to myself and others — none of us will ever forget that.” 

Hear4U was the legacy of Toby Fraser, who took his own life at the age of 21 in 2019. 

Mackintosh knew Toby’s father  Dan and saw first-hand the ripple effect his death had on the community. She came up with the idea of providing support to men who were struggling with mental health although found that one in five who came through Hear4U was female. 

The tipping point for the charity came in 2021 at the Taupō Marathon when 147 people from Tairāwhiti made the trip over to do the half-marathon in honour of Hear4U. 

A year later, there were 350 pounding the Taupō pavements and last year there were 257.  

Another large group is expected for the “last hurrah” in Taupō on August 4. 

“We brought together a community of lost souls and in doing so have stopped boys from taking their lives and prevented unnecessary grief,” Mackintosh said.  

In 2020, Tairāwhiti had one of the highest regional suicide rates in New Zealand. Today, it is among the lowest. 

That’s something that has kept the fire burning in Mackintosh. 

“I am so proud of the girl who had no confidence but continued to go out there like a warrior and keep going, despite others warning me about the backlash, burnout, lack of funding, support and the Tall Poppy Syndrome. 

“It disgusts me that humanity is overlooked because of perceptions.” 

In stepping back, she said she won’t worry about those they have helped because the charity has made sure each is on an enduring healing pathway. 

“I worry about those who may not have that opportunity in the future. We do things so differently and tailor it to the individual regardless of race, age or status. We don’t fit them into a box.” 

The charity employs one other person who will be looking for new employment. 

Mackintosh was hugely grateful for the support the charity has received from many. 

“We have been completely transparent and kept our integrity with every dollar we have spent. 

“But it is getting harder and harder in Tairāwhiti, given the weather events, the job market and, sadly, the division that is becoming more and more apparent. 

“I have never seen it like this. The pressure is immense on everyone, and I worry for tomorrow’s generation. That is why we have helped their fathers and mothers to flourish and become mentally strong individuals, leaders, workers and friends.” 

Mackintosh said she would never stop helping others, but it was time to take a new direction, starting with spending more time with whānau.