In recognition of the important work she did through mental health and suicide prevention charity Hear4U, Krissy Mackintosh has been named as a finalist in the Inspirational Women Awards New Zealand. Photo / Tink M Lockett
In recognition of the important work she did through mental health and suicide prevention charity Hear4U, Krissy Mackintosh has been named as a finalist in the Inspirational Women Awards New Zealand. Photo / Tink M Lockett
Gisborne woman Krissy Mackintosh, founder of the now defunct mental health and suicide prevention charity Hear4U, has been named a finalist in the Inspirational Women Awards New Zealand.
She is one of a handful of finalists for the Woman of the Year category, which recognises and celebrates women bringing about positive change and making the future brighter.
“I was very humbled by the fact that the judges were well aware of the closure of Hear4U, but chose to celebrate how I rose above many challenges and continue to do so,” Mackintosh said.
Other finalists are powerlifter Ashleigh Hotea, Pasifika author and publisher Dahlia Malaeulu and women’s empowerment advocate Dame Theresa Gattung.
Hear4U may have closed but Mackintosh is determined to continue doing important work through a new venture called Gotcu.
Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, she says she has emerged stronger and smarter and will be promoting positive psychology practices through speaking events, art and mindset mentoring.
In partnership with Primal Fitness, she and Brian Horwell have already started another 8-Week Wellbeing Challenge using the same formula that worked so well for Hear4U.
The Hear4U wellbeing challenges were completed by more than 600 men and women over the past three years.
Working with groups of 10, the programme is a combination of physical workouts and mindset coaching.
Mackintosh starts each training session with a 20-minute team kōrero.
“We implement a positive psychology practice, whether it be self-compassion, gratitude or forgiveness so that we can walk away with something to put into our kete in terms of wellbeing and mental health,” she said.
Mackintosh also offers one-on-one mindset mentoring on Fridays.
Krissy Mackintosh leading an 8-Week Wellbeing Challenge run by Hear4U. Photo / Tink M Lockett
Having put her heart and soul into making a positive difference through Hear4U, she was devastated when the charity couldn’t raise the funding needed to secure its future.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for me and hundreds of others, especially as our region has been significantly hit with tragedy after tragedy.
“I’ve had countless individuals reach out for support.”
She was disappointed people and organisations who could have helped chose not to.
More than 200 people turned up to do the Taupō Marathon in support of Hear4U this month.
“It was our last hoorah and a way to acknowledge those who have supported, funded and volunteered for our charity.”
With support from the Hurricanes rugby franchise, All Blacks and Poverty Bay great Ian Kirkpatrick and Tiniroto locals, they managed to raise about $4000 for the Tiniroto school bus.
Glen Wells, Wade Brunt, Darryl Hudson, Zeke Ingram and Graeme Tindall completed the 42.2-kilometre marathon distance for #Hear4U.
“I am still working through thousands of messages and emails of support. It’s been overwhelming and humbling.”
Hear4U had taught coping strategies and provided education so people were better equipped to handle hardship, Mackintosh said.
“We’re getting positive feedback that the boys were doing a really good job of looking after each other in our rural communities.”
A wellbeing challenge is being run by Amanda Martin in the Tiniroto town hall.
