Ben O'Connell
The Mullet Matters is back for 2024!
The fundraising campaign supports the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand by encouraging Kiwis to grow a mullet in the month of March.
Last year was the first Mullet Matters March.
It saw almost 700 mullet lovers take up the challenge and start important conversations about mental health.
Talking about mental health is hard. But talking about a mullet? A lot easier.
The Mullet Matters initiative looks to lower the barriers to starting mental health conversations.
When someone is asked about their mullet, leading the chat to one about mental health is natural.
In 2023, over $130,000 was raised for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, a major success.
The funds raised during The Mullet Matters help fund the vital mental health resources the charity provides.
One in five Kiwis experience mental health distress each year. Funds raised support the Mental Health Foundation in aiding those Kiwis.
The foundation shares about a million free mental health resources nationwide each year, covering topics such as depression, anxiety, suicide prevention, and well-being, among others.
Raising awareness of mental health can be tough. It starts with educating yourself and informing others.
Talking about mental health can be hard, but it’s important to do so.
Ending the stigma and supporting those affected is paramount. Starting meaningful conversations, as The Mullet Matters initiative promotes, is a cornerstone way of raising mental health awareness.
Advocating for support for those in need is equally as important. Conversations only do so much: funding is vital.
Taking the time to educate yourself on the common signs and symptoms of different aspects of mental health is one way to support your loved ones and community.
Listening without judgment is also important. It can take a lot to open up about one’s mental health struggles.
If someone has opened up to you, then remind them their feelings are valid and common among many people. They are not alone, nor are you as their support in that moment.
A conversation about a mullet could set off a life-changing mental health journey for someone in need.
We can also promote and uplift in regards to mental health normalisation through the language that we use.
Words have power. Sticks and stones break bones, but words break souls. Shifting our language to be more compassionate and understanding fosters a more positive mental health environment.
Visit The Mullet Matters signup page to get involved in The Mullet Matters.
You will join other mullet legends across New Zealand in raising funds that keep vital mental health resources free for everyone.
As the website linked above says, “Every $0.30 you raise delivers a mental health resource to someone in need.
“Help us reach our $300,000 goal to deliver one million resources to schools, workplaces, healthcare centres, and communities – free of charge, all year round.”
Embracing the mullet requires patience, personal style exploration, and a bit of boldness.
As you decide to grow out your hair for this distinct “business in the front, party in the back” hairstyle, it’s important to focus on your hair’s growth pattern and overall health.
The key is to let the hair at the back grow while keeping the sides and top relatively shorter but well-maintained.
Regular visits to a stylist who understands the mullet’s unique shape can help sculpt your hair as it grows, ensuring the proportions remain balanced and flattering to your face shape.
Styling your mullet involves choosing products that suit your hair type and desired look—whether that’s a textured, voluminous back or a sleek, straight style.
Embracing a mullet is as much about making a personal statement as it is about the hairstyle itself, so wear it with confidence and let it reflect your individuality and flair.
In New Zealand culture, the mullet symbolises individuality and non-conformity.
Us Kiwis love the kooky and distinctive, so it’s no wonder the mullet is popular.
The hairstyle has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially among young Kiwis and those looking to make a statement about personal freedom and identity.
This duality of the mullet, blending style with social consciousness with The Mullet Matters mission, encapsulates the Kiwi spirit—embracing uniqueness while supporting meaningful causes.
You can find help in many ways, and many organisations and groups are here to help.
Please take the step and reach out today for yourself or someone you love to get the best advice and support.
Age Concern – 0800 65 2 105
Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)
Elder Abuse – 0800 EA NOT OK – 0800 32 668 65 (free and confidential)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Rural Support – 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
Shine – 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline
Women’s Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)