INSPIRING NEW MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES

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The Matt Skellern Bipolar Trust was incorporated in March 2013 to promote a positive conversation around mental health and wellbeing. The trust wants to increase the public awareness and understanding of mental health issues, particularly bipolar, depression and anxiety, and to reduce the associated stigma.

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Above all, the trust wants to inspire new and effective mental health (support) services – that reduce the country’s appalling suicide rate and enable people with mental health conditions to live well.

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Matthew Skellern, a talented and creative town planner and sportsman, took his life at the age of 30 in May 2012 because living with bipolar and its huge mood swings became too difficult for him. He made many friends in a wide range of networks because of his effervescent personality and abilities. But he worked hard to keep his condition secret.

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Matthew said in his parting note to his family: "My bipolar is too much for me. It is far worse than I have treated it. I feel hopeless in that I don't feel I can live a happy life.  I have gone on major ups and downs for many years and now reflect I cannot find the balance ... I'm just leaving to find a new place, resting for a while.''

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Matthew had tried medication, therapy and the in-patient service, and needed more opportunities. He needed services, including peer support, that he felt comfortable and safe with; that could rekindle his hope; and equip him with the skills and knowledge to navigate the immense challenges living with bipolar can present.

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Matthew’s father Graham Skellern is an experienced journalist and his articles on mental health and his family’s experiences have been published in major newspapers in New Zealand. Matthew’s sister Emma Skellern trained as an organisational psychologist, has worked as a mental health researcher and has presented at various conferences and forums.

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The Skellerns joined four other families – who had experienced suicide – on a hikoi, by bus, from Parihaka to Cape Reinga where they released the spirit of their loved ones and said farewell. The families shared their grief, stories and future – and formed a camaraderie and belief that the `taboo' issue of suicide can be de-stigmatised. The unique journey was shown in the movie Maui’s Hook, which premiered during the New Zealand International Film Festival 2018.

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Since the trust was formed, other people whose loved ones had committed suicide have shared their stories with us. They said afterwards that they felt much better after talking to someone.

"That tells me that talking about suicide simply should not be a taboo subject,’’ says Graham Skellern. "The more you talk about it, the more people can understand and, hopefully, they might be able to help someone out.’’