A powerful and raw young adult memoir offers unfiltered insight into the challenges and triumphs of a young person navigating family adversity, identity and belonging in time for Mental Health Awareness Week in Aotearoa.
Published through the Auckland Council Libraries publishing programme, I Think I Need This: A True Story offers an intimate account of a young person, Tahi, coming of age amid family trauma. Crafted from an interview with Tahi by journalist Kahu Kutia (Ngāi Tūhoe), this memoir reveals the strength it takes to keep moving forward through heartbreak, loneliness and uncertainty, and the transformative power of finding community and connection.
Tahi’s story explores themes of mental health, grief, LGBTQ+ identity, whānau dynamics and reconnecting with te ao Māori, while offering a hopeful message about the importance of community and finding where you belong.
Chair of the Community Committee, Councillor Julie Fairey, says the publication is an important resource for teenagers to help them feel less isolated during phases of their lives that impact mental health.
“Our communities are incredibly diverse and it’s vital that rangatahi can see themselves reflected in the books they read. Tahi’s story explores identity, complicated family dynamics, belonging and reconnection with te ao Māori in a way that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. With Mental Health Awareness Week upon us, this memoir is a powerful example of how sharing these stories can build empathy, spark important conversations and bring people together.
Auckland Council’s Head of Library and Learning Services Catherine Leonard says the memoir is an important addition to Auckland Council Libraries’ collection, helping bring underrepresented voices and important topics to the forefront.
“Young people deserve access to stories that reflect the realities of their lives, yet non-fiction memoirs written specifically for teen readers remain uncommon. Tahi’s story offers a perspective that is seldom represented in publishing, and we’re proud to support a book that not only reflects the realities of many rangatahi, but also fosters empathy, understanding and connection across our communities.
Praised by award-winning author Midden Rahurahu as a story that “will knock you over with its openness and bravery”, I Think I Need This offers an absorbing and accessible read from a fresh young voice, illuminating the realities many young people experience while ultimately affirming the possibility of hope and healing.
Published by Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau I Auckland Council Libraries, I Think I Need This: A True Story has an RRP of $25 and is now available and free to borrow from all 57 Auckland Council Libraries.
Auckland Council Libraries’ publishing programme focuses on filling gaps in library collections and creating resources that reflect and serve Auckland’s diverse communities. This includes publishing books and content that amplify underrepresented voices, share the stories of Tāmaki Makaurau, respond to community needs and provide enduring value for future generations.