The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

It’s reluctance to talk about suicide.

[The link is from 2017, just to highlight this is not a new thing]

The more it sits with me, the more it confuses me.

Let’s not forget – as I also wrote in that post – this is a government who have demonstrated the power of open discussion over issues such as COVID and terrorism.

And while this issue has been around for longer than the current government have been in power, I would have thought Jacinda – who is one of the most inspirational leaders of my life time – would be the first to recognise the current approach is actually working against them.

Anyway, whether popular or not, I decided I would bring up the issue with everyone I meet. To see what they think. To discuss how they can help. To encourage them to do things things that are directly for youth, rather than about them.

I am so happy the people I’ve spoken to already are open to helping in a range of ways.

This is important because there’s seems to be some strange views in terms of communication here that I feel is complicit to the problem rather than help defy it.

I say strange, but I get where it’s coming from.

For example …

“With a population of less than 5 million, you need to go mass with all communication to make anything stand a chance of getting a return on investment.”

It makes sense doesn’t it. Except it’s not true.

It’s a ‘throw as much stuff against a wall as you can’ strategy.

Maybe that explains why so much work doesn’t have a point of view, just wants to be noticed.

Though we are also seeing some adopt an alternative route – the same alternative route favoured by so many around the world … precision marketing.

The thing with this data-driven approach is that while it sounds amazing – the reality is, as we have seen around the world, there are some pretty inherent flaws in it. It will get better, but right now, it’s not quite precise enough and/or not personal enough and/or not emotive enough.

The irony is in a nation of less than 5 million, we should not only be able to reach everyone, but we should be able to do it in a way that is much more intimate and individual. And while I’ve only been here a short time, I’m not seeing much that does that … instead it’s far more super generalist messaging to super generalist audiences with – in many cases – super generalist benefits or offers.

ie: Price.

Add in the communication attitude that often feels like that goal is to ‘only target people with the cash right this second’ – rather than any play towards the future of your business – and it’s no surprise youth can feel isolated, ignored or limited in their choices.

Now I appreciate I sound like a prick.

A condescending, patronising, judgemental prick.

One of those British assholes who comes to a new country and says, “let me tell you everything about your country”.

The irony is this is the last thing I want to do.

I totally appreciate I am new here.

I completely respect I have so much to learn here.

And I absolutely acknowledge the country is doing pretty fucking well in so many other areas – areas the rest of the world are terrible at.

But I also have the benefit of experience and looking at things with fresh eyes and – as I said in my previous post – this is the first country I’ve lived in, since China, where I see a generation who feel they don’t see the ability to express who they are but have to live up to who others want them to be.

Not all, but a lot.

And regardless of the size, the implications of this on individuals – and the nation – are huge.

But as much as people leaving the country or simply accepting the status quo has huge economic impact on the direction on this wonderful country is heading, the loss of life is far, far worse. And it’s happening in – proportionately – huge numbers.

I know no one wants this to happen.

I know many of the public feel helpless in what to do.

But one thing we can all do – even before we lobby for the government to change their stance on talking about suicide in the media – is to recognise them and value their individual tastes, beliefs, habits, ideas and ambitions.

To rob them of that is to rob them of something fundamental.

It’s really important for me to leave this by saying how much I love this country.

It has already been incredibly kind, generous and compassionate to me and my family.

The actual intent of this post is not to point fingers, but to try and repay my faith in the country that has been so kind to me by trying to do something that gives back. Whether that is as an individual or as family or something more.