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Mike King on the warpath

Published: Sun 3 Dec 2006 01:05 PM
PRESS RELEASE
Mike King on the warpath
‘It is time we dealt with causes of mental problems rather than the effects’, says Mike King who has accepted the Patron’s role at the Phobic Trust, New Zealand’s anxiety, phobic and obsessive, compulsive disorder charity.
‘Society is so focused on dealing with depression, suicide, alcohol, drug and physical abuse, we ignore dealing with the anxiety disorders that are the root cause of most of these problems.’
Like 25% of adults in New Zealand, Mike’s life was ‘disordered’ last year by depression, believed to be caused by anxiety. Unlike 99% of New Zealanders who have been affected, Mike dealt with the illness and is now back on all eight cylinders.
‘It’s only when you learn about this stuff that you find out how crazy the current situation is. It’s the biggest untreated illness in New Zealand. One million kiwis suffering. Often hurting themselves. Normally putting their family, friends, teachers and work mates through hell. Yet every anxiety disorder can be treated. It’s time Kiwis got smart so I am proud to help this cause.’
‘We are overjoyed that Mike is becoming the Patron,’ comments Marcia Read, the Phobic Trust’s Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ‘He follows Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Robert Muldoon and Kylie Bax. Each Patron is a famous New Zealander that gave us what we needed at that time – today we need someone that can talk sense to New Zealand’s multi cultural society including youth, so Mike is perfect.’
‘The kiwis that suffer from anxiety disorders will know something is wrong’ comments Mike. ‘If you are unsure, just ask your family and friends, I assure you, they will know. Then it’s a simple task of contacting the Phobic Trust and getting it fixed. Just like you would get a broken leg fixed. It is just plain common sense.’
Ends

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