Teen helps 'broken young lives'

A Christchurch teenager is raising money for youth suicide awareness after coming close to taking his own life.

Raina Tekii, 17, has organised a youth dance show called Battle Cry to be held on Wednesday with all proceeds going to Pacific Trust's youth mental health services.

Tekii said he would probably not be here today if he had not been admitted to the youth inpatient unit at Princess Margaret Hospital in the middle of the year.

The Shirley Boys' High School student suffered a psychotic episode and doctors said he showed signs of depression and bipolar disorder.

After a week-long stay, he said he came out a different person, able to talk about his feelings and reach out to people for help.

"When I got out, all my friends heard what happened and started opening up, telling me their experiences of suicide and depression," Tekii said. "One said he wanted to kill himself. He seems like a really normal and happy guy. That got me thinking: I seemed normal and happy, but I really wasn't."

He hoped the event would raise thousands of dollars, but also awareness about youth suicide and depression.

"We live in a country with so many broken young people that don't look for help, instead they decide to take their lives," he said.

"I've learnt that it's OK to talk and open up. Young guys might feel they have to be tough and macho, but they don't."

Tekii and his friends had sold 150 tickets through school and more will be available at the door, at the Majestic House on Manchester St.