Commit random acts of kindness

The reasons behind New Zealand’s appalling mental health statistics are varied and complicated. However, in my 20 plus years providing crisis intervention support services I have noticed one common theme that exacerbates the problem. This is the fear of rejection.

This can be rejection from a partner, family, friends, colleagues, even rejection from the general community. And what makes us more vulnerable to this rejection is an increasing prevalence of individualism, where we are obsessed with acceptance and where our selfesteem is based solely on our own achievements.

We can all help. Next time you see someone who looks different, speaks different or acts different, commit a random act of kindness. It can be as simple as smiling and saying hello.

Gray Crawford, Shirley