"While on the Whirlwind website I noticed their cool hoodies and eventually got in touch and asked how we could get one for my brother."
Martin, who applauded the support from Jordan's family as well as Otaki College, where Jordan attends part time as a year 13 student, chose to gift Whirlwind tops to each of the family members.
"My brother has been going through some really intense life issues and our family wanted to show him support by wearing them," Tai said.
"We wanted him to know we believe in him, even if he doesn't believe in himself sometimes."
Jordan, who has depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and PTSD-related anxiety, looked forward to connecting with around 200 men on Whirlwind's private Facebook page.
Appearing older than his 17 years, Jordan had struggled with other people's expectations of him and the idea that, because he is physically tall and strong, he should fall into New Zealand culture's 'harden up' male stereotype.
"The thing I liked about Whirlwind is that it's a men's group because while Jordan has a mental health team he works with, an ACC counsellor and us, he doesn't actually have any male role models."
Martin, who described Jordan's decision to speak up as the "manliest thing a guy can do," invited him to attend Whirlwind's monthly male-only dinner get together at Hightide Café, Paraparaumu Beach.
"Whirlwind has members who are older than Jordan, his age and younger; all who are normal everyday guys," Martin said.
"We're about not having to harden up and pretend we're someone we're not.
"You can throw anything around and other guys can relate."
Visit Whirlwind's website here.
