In the world of hunting and firearms in NZ, there's a silent struggle that often goes unnoticed—a battle with mental health. For myself and Sam Manson, this struggle hits close to home, inspiring us to pioneer MentalHunts

Written by Cam McKay for

NZ Hunter Magazine

With so many changes to firearms licensing regulations over the last few years, it’s really no surprise that even the police don’t seem to understand them let alone the health practitioners that have been dragged into the whole cluster.

Founder of Mental Hunts, Glen Thurston joins Cam Slater of Reality Check Radio to discuss mental health and firearms ownership, and MentalHunts work to support the mental health of the firearms community.

By Derek Cheng

Senior Writer, NZ Herald

Firearms licence holders aren’t seeking professional help if they are feeling mentally unwell out of fear their licences will be taken from them. With an estimated one in five people struggling with mental illness each year, that means up to 50,000 licence holders refusing to seek the help they might need. If untreated, is this a public health crisis waiting to unfold? Derek Cheng reports.

Nature is well known for having a positive effect on mental health. But Wānaka construction worker Glen Thurston is taking the remedy to new heights. Well before dawn, Thurston takes on Corner Peak near Lake Hāwea.

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MentalHuntsHunting adventures with a difference. Glen Thurston & Sam Manson are working to break down mental health barriers within the hunting community.