For people struggling with depression, it can feel like walking through mud every day.

So on , we're asking you Gumboot Friday, to show your support. Put your gumboots on, give a gold coin, and take a walk in their shoes for just one day.

​It's a fun way for kiwis to join in the mental health conversation, while raising money to provide free and timely counselling for any young person in need.

Different ways you can get involved:

• Wear your gumboots on Gumboot Friday and show your support for those suffering from depression.
• Make a gold coin donation.
• Involve your workplace, school or organisation. Join the Gumboot Army here.
• Purchase one of our branded t-shirts or merchandise here. When you wear it, remember to be open to having vulnerable conversations and talking to friends and family.

To let us know about your fundraising plans, join the Gumboot Army here. Thank you again for your support, let's #GUMBOOTUPNZ!

100% of your donation that's deposited directly into the Kiwibank Gumboot Friday account goes to counselling for kiwi kids and young people. Kids (with the support of their adult supporters) can make an appointment directly with a counsellor or therapist that meets our criteria.

Anyone in New Zealand who is 25 years of age or under.

We provide funding for young people aged 05-24 yrs to get counselling.
Counsellors are not employed by I AM HOPE or The Key to Life Charitable Trust. We're collecting a database of counsellors qualified to work with young people, so we can share their details on our website (counsellors can sign up here). Young people can get a counsellor from our database to make an appointment.
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We have strict guidelines about the types of counsellors and therapists we accept onto our database.
They must all fit one of the following categories:

• NZAC – New Zealand Association of Counsellors  Te Roopu Kaiwhiriwhiri o Aotearoa.
• NZCCA – New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association.
• NZPB – New Zealand Psychologists Board, Te Poari Kaimātai Hinengaro o Aotearoa.
• PBANZ – The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand Te Poari o nga Kaihaumanu Hinengaro o Aotearoa.
• SWRB – Social Workers Registration Board Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro.
• Or have their CV reviewed by our Board of Trustees

Counsellors and Therapists on our database are not a recommendation or exhaustive list of available professionals in New Zealand.
We encourage everyone to do the necessary research to find a practitioner who suits your personal needs.

We expect all counsellors and therapists on our database to provide I AM HOPE and Gumboot Friday clients with the same quality of service and professionalism as clients who pay directly.