Hopefulness and living positively lies at the heart of a free public talk that features guest speaker Sir John Kirwan.

Hosted by the Waihi Beach Medical Centre, A Free Evening With John Kirwan will be held down at the Waihi Beach Community Centre on Beach Road tonight, starting at 6.30pm.

Sir John Kirwan will be a guest speaker at a free public talk down at the Waihi Beach Community Centre tonight. Photo: Jean-François Beauséjour/Creative Commons

The talk will discuss issues around teenage and adult mental health and focus on depression, anxiety, plus the dangers of recreational drug use.

The medical centre is encouraging everyone who is either living with or supporting a teenager or adult with mental health issues to come along and learn, share, or simply just listen.

Counsellors and mental health staff will also be available on site.

Sir John Kirwan is a leader in redefining how we view depression and mental health issues here in New Zealand and was knighted for his efforts back in 2012.

He's one of our greatest All Blacks and was a force on the rugby field, but to many Kiwis Sir John's greatest feat has been his ability to change mindsets and show people that it's okay to ask for help.

A Free Evening With John Kirwan takes places at the Waihi Beach Community Centre tonight. Doors open 6.30pm, presentation starts at 7pm.

Sir John also lends his support to the National Depression Initiative and for more information visit: www.depression.org.nz/home