Friend's suicide spurs Jono Pryor to help others

Losing one of his best mates to suicide came as a shock to TV comedian Jono Pryor - now he's doing what he can to support others struggling with mental health issues.

Pryor and his co-host Ben Boyce have teamed up with Lifeline Aotearoa to spread the message, "no one thinks less of you" and encourage people to donate the cost of a cup of coffee to the charity.

In March, Pryor ended his Jono and Ben TV show by pleading with people to talk about their struggles.

"A few days ago, a very, very close friend of mine decided to take his own life," he told viewers.

"I just wanna say that what I've learned this week, if you are suffering a mental illness, no one thinks less of you for talking, for sharing your thoughts.

"No one thinks less of you for taking medicine and no one thinks less of you for dealing with a mental illness. Just talk about it".

Pryor said, since then, it had become a cause "quite dear to his heart".

"It hit me hard. I had no idea that he was in need and was thinking about taking his own life," Pryor said.

"Together we can help prevent suicide if we can normalise asking for help. Asking for help doesn't make you look weak, it takes courage and that's something to be proud of.

"No one will think less of you for asking for help."

Pryor told the Herald he and Boyce had seen heaps of people coming up on the street or emailing them since they spoke out on the show.

"It's definitely become apparent how many people mental health has affected in New Zealand - in terms of people dealing with mental health and also friends and family members who know people who are dealing with it," he said.

"Having a service like Lifeline available, so people can pick up the phone and talk to someone is bloody fantastic. It's what we have done as a group of mates - a lot more talking about stuff."

Pryor said he encouraged those struggling with their mental health to know they were not alone.

"Once people understand what's going on in your life, your friends and family, they probably won't get it but they are definitely there to offer support and stuff.

"If they feel they are alone and they can't talk to anyone, it's great services like Lifeline are there so you've got experts on the other end of the phone to help you talk through it.

"I think it's a very important service and if it doesn't have money it can't operate and if it can't operate it can't be there to help people."

That's why he was encouraging people to donate to the charity.

"Make it a priority to let your friends know you are there for them by pledging your support on social media to donate the cost of a coffee to Lifeline Aotearoa."

Lifeline Aotearoa executive director Glenda Schnell said the organisation's helpline received about 120,000 calls last year, up from about 110,000 calls the year before. Of those, more than 1800 were people at high risk of committing suicide.

Each call cost the organisation $22 so every donation helped, she said.

People were starting to talk about the issue more, but the more people were willing to talk about it, the more calls the organisation received.

Click here to make a donation to Lifeline Aotearoa.

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906 (Palmerston North and Levin)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (available 24/7)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.