Opinion

In some blogs and opinions on the recent “suggestions” regarding suicide prevention, depression and other “mental illness” in the news lately – some have ventured to denigrate the ads by John Kirwan as not “real” depression.

John Kirwan is just a guy too.

To criticise him for the ads is so ‘tall poppy” syndrome that it is ridiculous. Any publicity to the under reported mental illness problems, across societal class, race and creed, is raising awareness of the problems some of us face – daily.

Every person’s illness is subjective, no matter who is talking about it. It takes bravery to talk about it at all – let alone publicly.

As soon as New Zealanders start talking about these things without shame and openly – the sooner we will leave an example for youth to follow about honesty.