Mike King gave Kaitaia College students a good deal to think about, but the passionate mental health advocate, once known only as a stand-up comic, had them laughing too.
Mental health and suicide awareness campaigner Mr King found two very receptive audiences when he addressed junior and senior assemblies at the college.
Tahlia Betheras said King's presentation was effective and enjoyable, while Te Oranoa Matthews found him insightful: "He had some fantastic solutions. His talk was targeted at those supporting people with mental illness; his advice was to do nothing but let them be them unconditionally."
Mr King's visit concluded with a public evening session Community Korero, run in conjunction with the Cool to Korero school programme.
"Where the school talk empowers young people to find solutions for their problems, and makes it OK to talk, the Community Korero recognises the need for adults to listen," Mr King said.
