Introducing Our New Mental Health Champion

Tai joins us on a pilot programme funded by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to support the wellbeing of our learners.

Tai has been at the forefront of mental health in Aotearoa for the last decade, working with schools, organisations and sports teams from the grassroots to high-performance level. As founding director of The Last Chance Project Charitable Trust, he also works with men who are going through tough times to create new chapters of their lives.

His passion is for making the topic simple and accessible, believing that disconnection – with family, culture or the people around us – is often at the heart of mental health issues.

As a professional rugby player, Tai says he “didn’t know what mental health was till [he] was 22,” simply assuming that the feelings he was experiencing were his own unique problem. However, when he started talking about his struggles on the radio, he realised a lot of others were going through the same thing. It became his calling.

“I grew up believing I was tough and strong because I was physically gifted. But later, I realised the most important thing was looking after my mental health,” he says.

In his new role, Tai will be on the ground speaking to learners and employers to ensure he’s reaching those who might need a friendly ear. While free EAP and Vitae counselling services are available through BCITO, often people need a bit of support to access them. Tai aims to get them the support that’s most suited to their needs, faster.

He encourages learners and employers to contact him directly on 027 320 1074 or at Tai.Tupou@bcito.org.nz.

In Tai’s own words: “No matter what you are going through, I want you to know that it is normal, you are not alone, and whatever it is, small or big, it matters. I’m here to listen and to connect.”