Matt on a mission to improve rural mental health attitudes

Struggling with burnout and depression, he found himself wishing the chopper had crashed with him in it. Despite having a wonderful wife, his dream job and his two boys at home, he was miserable.

But looking back at that moment on the mountain, Chisholm now realises it was a turning point and the start of a new chapter in his life.

The charismatic former host of Survivor New Zealand and Celebrity Treasure Island had also held multiple current affairs roles over the years on shows like Close Up, Fair Go and Sunday. But reeling from burnout and exhaustion, he knew this had to change. He yearned to return to his country roots.

Chisholm left his job at TVNZ and moved to a 29-hectare property in Central Otago, where he now farms sheep and beef. He found ways to manage his own mental health and has since signed up as the inaugural Ambassador for the Rural Support Trust.

As part of that, Chisholm has embarked on a mission to get more people talking about their own mental health, as part of the Trust's TimeOut Tour, sponsored by ANZ. More than 2,300 tickets were issued for events up and down the country in 2022, with more events planned for this year.

Speaking late last year at a well-attended event in Ashburton, Chisholm said he first realised he was depressed decades ago after picking up a pamphlet in a doctor's office while being treated for an STD.

"There were about 16 boxes - if you have these symptoms, you may be depressed - and I ticked every box," he said. "Despite that, I was actually more willing to talk to my doctor about my STD than about my mental health."

He is an entertaining speaker, with his down-to-earth sense of humour keeping the rural mid-Canterbury crowd smiling. However, there are also sombre moments when he talks about the harsh lessons he has learned.

Chisholm is open the fact he has struggled with alcohol and drugs, he has now been sober for 11 years. He spoke about the pressure he felt growing up to live up to the 'Southern Man' stereotypre - the kind of man who never admits to having feelings beyond a deep love for his local rugby team.

That pressure pushed him to drink to excess and "do stupid things" - with his alcohol abuse leading to a deep sense of self-loathing and depression. After realising his childhood dream of getting into TV journalism, and sticking with it for more than a decade, his mental health deteriorated, and work became yet another overwhelming addiction.

“I stopped sleeping and started waking up with huge headaches. I started getting angry at work, even with nice people,” Chisholm explained. “I had trouble with the basics, I started thinking that my colleagues were stitching me up – I was going mad,” he explained.

“Useless at home, I’d just sit there angry and wonder why I wasn’t as capable with the kids as my wife. I was trying to be a great dad, and broadcaster, but I was breaking. I hated work and I didn’t like being at home, and I’d created a life which didn’t see me be anywhere else. I wasn’t getting any joy from anything.”

He spoke about the death of close friend and fellow broadcaster Greg Boyed, who took his own life in 2018 despite telling Chisholm he was getting help.

“We told each other that we weren’t going to do anything stupid. Greg told me he was getting help for his depression, I told him I would do the same. I thought he was in a better place than me.

“Days later, I picked up my phone and saw a headline pop up – it had ‘Greg’ and ‘Boyed’, and I knew that my mate Greg had killed himself.”

Chisholm has spent a lot of time getting better – learning to forgive and like himself and becoming a better person.

“Not being OK is surprisingly normal. Most of us will go through something in our lives that affects our ability to function mentally – we have to get people to understand that and create safe spaces for people to open up and share.”

Chisholm says he now tries to focus on the positive and appreciate the beauty around him.

“I’m exercising, learning, connecting with people, giving back, doing all the things I knew I needed to do, but didn’t, because I didn’t give myself a chance,” he added. “Sometimes I still get anxious and think negatively, but now I know what I need to do to look after myself, to catch those negative thoughts and kick them to the kerb.”

His main reason for taking part in the Time Out Tour was to encourage more people to put their hand up and ask for help, without feeling ashamed.

“You are more of a man if you ask for help,” he said. “I also think it’s up to everyone else to look out for each other; if you think someone close to you is a bit off, be brave and ask them how they’re doing.

“If you feel like you’re being fobbed off, ask them again. You do not have to be an expert to listen.”

Where To Get Help:

Rural Support Trust

For a free, confidential chat, call 0800 787 254, 8am-9pm.

Lifeline

0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Youthline

0800 376 633, free text 234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or online chat

Suicide Crisis Helpline

0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

The Lowdown

thelowdown.co.nz - or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or free text 5626