A Mount Maunganui woman has written a book and is using it to help fund workshops for at-risk children in the Bay of Plenty community.
The workshops, which will be run every Friday night starting June 20, will target 12 to 18-year-olds who struggle with anxiety, stress and depression.
Charlotte Hardy said inspiration for the workshops came when her friend Matt Skellern committed suicide two years ago in May. "I knew him for half his life and I thought, 'why didn't he tell someone he was bipolar, why didn't talk about it and get peer group support?'"
Ms Hardy, who works for Comvita, said the workshops were aimed at children who may be at risk.
"Children that have been a bit down, are a bit stressed out or have been through a traumatic situation, so they are struggling emotionally ... It's about teaching them skills to deal with stress, giving teenagers a safe, fun environment in which to learn about their identity and grow creatively."