COLFO is proud to support and partner with Mental HUNTS and the Firearms Safety Authority to promote mental wellbeing within the licensed firearms community. Mental HUNTS is a dedicated initiative that integrates mental health awareness with the hunting lifestyle, offering resources like videos, articles, guidance.
Their mission aligns with ours; encouraging responsible firearm ownership and helping license holders make good decisions, especially during mental health challenges. By fostering a community that prioritises wellbeing and breaks down stigma, Mental Hunts aim to ensure that all licensed firearm owners feel supported not only in the outdoors but in life as well.
About Glen from Mental Hunts
Glen Thurston is a father, builder, and passionate outdoorsman with a deep love for hunting. Having battled depression and alcohol abuse for much of his life, Glen has emerged from these struggles with a strong desire to help others facing similar challenges. His personal journey inspired the creation of “Turn the Corner,” an initiative that saw him climb Corner Peak at Lake Hawea 53 times in 53 days, one for each life lost annually to suicide in New Zealand’s construction industry. His goal was to raise awareness, spark conversation, and drive action around mental health, especially within the trades.
Glen’s advocacy took on new urgency after his own experience with the mental health system in 2019 led to the revocation of his firearms licence. The situation highlighted the barriers many licensed firearms owners face when seeking help, particularly under new laws introduced that year. Determined to see change, Glen now works to support others in the hunting and firearms community, using his story to encourage open dialogue, promote resilience, and advocate for legislation that better supports mental health without punishing those who seek help.