Audience
The audience for this campaign is 15 to 19-year-old rangatahi Māori and Pacific young people. In particular, those who are supporting (or want to support) friends and whānau going through mental distress or going through it themselves.
How To Do Nothing
How To Do Nothing is a campaign developed with young people, for young people - to remind them that they can help by just being there and by doing nothing together.
Young people report that they want to help their friends through mental health struggles, but sometimes don’t know what to do or say. They also tend to identify friends and whānau as two of the most trusted sources of mental health information and support – this is particularly true for rangatahi Māori and Pacific young people. Therefore it’s essential that young people – particularly Māori and Pasifika – are equipped with the tools to support their friends if they feel able to.
You don’t have to know the right thing to say, or to be a trained mental health professional to help. Just being there can be enough.
This campaign is part of our commitment to the Youth Plan, and the Child and Youth Strategy.
Key Messages
Got a friend who’s feeling down? Do nothing with them. Because just being there really helps
You don’t need to have all the answers
Young people feel equipped to awhi/support someone they love who is struggling
Young people gain skills and confidence on how they can support a friend in need
