For a third consecutive year Lifeline Aotearoa is partnering with mental health advocate and fashion designer Marnie Hillier from Ms Marnie by selling limited edition t-shirts through Mental Health Awareness Week September 27 to October 3. $25 from each sale directly supports its crisis helpline service.

Each shirt is emblazoned with an important message for New Zealanders: You Matter. The popular designs will be made available for pre-order at www.msmarnie.com from Sunday 27 September through to midnight Sunday October 3.

In 2020, the You Matter campaign raised over $30,000, helping Lifeline Aotearoa train new staff and volunteers to provide much needed counselling and support for people in distress and at risk of suicide. The lifesaving service receives over 100,000 calls per year and funds all services through donations.  Last year the organisation experienced a 25% increase in calls and texts from people in distress due to nationwide lockdowns, and that demand is only increasing.

“As New Zealanders come to terms with the ongoing effects of the recent tough lockdowns, such as those in Tāmaki Makaurau, we want you to know – it’s alright to be feeling upset, frustrated, isolated or overwhelmed – know you’re not alone, you are seen and you do matter,’ Hillier says.

Helena de Fontenay, Operations Manager at Lifeline says it’s thanks to initiatives such as the Ms Marnie partnership that the organisation can continue to support the many Kiwis going through hardship.

“Show your support with a You Matter t-shirt, wear it with pride and support your friends, whānau and co-workers this Mental Health Awareness Week. These funds go a long way to help our incredible volunteers and counsellors who operate the frontline helpline service help New Zealanders.

“The impact of this campaign will mean so much to those among us who are suffering or in crisis who will be able to access potentially lifesaving support.”

@lifelinenz @msmarnie_is_here #YouMatter

0800 LIFELINE (543 354) is available for free 24/7 for those in distress and contemplating suicide