For years, skateboarding has been celebrated as a subculture grounded in individuality, creativity, and resilience. It's a sport that requires skill, practice, and dedication, but it’s also one that, like mental health challenges, often faces stigma. Some people misjudge skaters as a disruptive force. Mental distress can also be misunderstood, which can make it hard for people to ask for help when they need it.
Sean Kearns, a university student studying in Wellington, wanted to change that narrative. A committed skater of 10 years, Sean set out to shine a positive light on the skateboarding community while supporting the Mental Health Foundation’s mission to prevent suicide and uplift wellbeing. In September, he organized a fundraising skate event that raised over $2,400 to support the Foundation’s vital mahi.
It was more than just a classic skate jam where people could drop in, chill, compete, and have fun. “It was serious but fun at the same time,” Sean says, describing how the event fostered both camaraderie and meaningful conversations. “A lot of the older guys made it clear to the younger ones that they could reach out if they ever needed to.”
After losing a close childhood friend to suicide – someone who he met through skating – Sean felt the time was right to create a positive outlet for the community’s grief. “I was going to do it for him,” he reflects. “In the skating community, we’re close, but we’re not always open about our feelings.” He knows firsthand the importance of breaking down barriers around mental health and wants his friends to feel there’s no shame in speaking up.
“My advice is to tell your mates you love them,” Sean says. “Our group is affectionate – we call and Facetime each other every week.”
Organising the event in just two months – securing sponsors, designing posters, and sharing the kaupapa – Sean’s efforts made a big impact. “It was way better than I expected,” he says, noting the support from around 60-70 people, many of whom came just to show their support for the cause.
Skateboarding may look effortless from the outside, but, like mental wellbeing, it requires persistence, support, and self-care. For Sean, learning the importance of things like exercise, healthy eating, and having a creative outlet, like his own skate clothing line, Simmer Down, has been life changing. And if there’s one thing he won’t be simmering down about, it’s the power of looking out for each other and asking for help when it’s needed.
