Jiu-Jitsu sparring for men’s mental health

Members of a local Jiu-Jitsu club have rolled for six hours straight to raise awareness of men’s mental health month.

Tāhunanui’s Balance Jiu-Jitsu owner David Gordon has wanted to undertake something like this for a while and thought Movember was the best time to bring awareness to the issue.

So, last Saturday, a Movember Roll-a-thon was held at the club.

“In our Jiu-Jitsu community there are a lot of people who have battles with mental illness like depression and anxiety,” David says. “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and kept it to myself for a long time.”

Five men rolled for six hours straight on Saturday, which David says was both mentally and physically challenging. More than 50 others joined in throughout the day.

Those who attended in support, or participated, were invited to donate in support of the event.

“Hopefully everyone who attends can pitch in anything they can, so they make a good donation to the Movember cause,” David said at the beginning of the day.

David says his hope is that everyone opens up when they are not feeling okay and says its important to remember that it’s okay to express how you feel.