This past week I had the privilege of supporting a friend who set himself an incredible challenge: to run one kilometre for every life lost to suicide in New Zealand last year. That’s 617 kilometres in a single week.
It was more than just a physical challenge. Each step, each kilometre, carried weight — the weight of grief, loss, and the sobering reality that in our small country, 617 people felt they couldn’t go on.
What struck me most wasn’t only his determination, or the support from people around him, but the message at the heart of it all. He said it best himself:
“617 is way too much for one person to run. And it’s way too many lives lost. That number should be zero.”
Suicide touches every corner of New Zealand. It is not an isolated issue, but one deeply woven into our culture. We pride ourselves on resilience, on “toughing it out,” but this attitude often comes at a cost. Too many of us carry pain silently, believing we have to face it alone. For young people, particularly, the weight of expectations, identity, and belonging can be overwhelming.
Behind each number is a person, a whānau, a community left forever changed. Entire workplaces, schools, and friendship groups feel the impact. The ripple effect reaches far beyond the immediate family, creating waves of grief that shape the fabric of our society.
The truth is, suicide is not just about individual struggle. It’s a collective issue. It reflects the way we talk (or don’t talk) about mental health, the resources we do (or don’t) make available, and the compassion we show (or withhold) from one another.
What my friend’s run showed me is that while one person can’t carry the weight of 617 lives, together we can take steps to make a difference. Supporting initiatives like I Am Hope matters. Reaching out when you’re worried about someone matters. Checking in on our mates, having the uncomfortable conversations, and breaking the silence around mental health — all of it matters.
617 kilometres. 617 lives. It’s too much. But by coming together, by challenging the culture of silence, and by showing compassion, maybe one day that number really can be zero.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support:
- Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor — free, 24/7.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or free text 4357 (HELP).
- Youthline: 0800 376 633, free text 234, or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
You are not alone. Help is available.
