We're talking a fair bit of moolah - let's hope it floods the streets, like a wonder-drug, in massive doses and gets dished out generously to those who are most vulnerable and at risk.
For a government whose battle cry is "Transparency", this is one time where the New Zealand public should be privy to the spending of each and every dollar, right down to the very last cent.
With our suicide rates twice as high as America's and a shocking five times higher than those in Britain, it really is a case of life and death.
Let's hope we won't see the customary irresponsible spending of so many former governments, where much of the newly injected monetary boost will be frittered away on the setting up of unnecessary boards, commissions, focus groups and overpriced consultants.
All of the above then go on to further squander the funds by having workshops and seminars at lavish five-star hotels, where guests can expect a goody bag, worth thousands, upon arrival.
Having brainstormed the problem between dirty martinis and cauliflower steaks, the supposed experts will then gather around the chocolate fountain where they will then decide to commit to several multimillion-dollar ad and public awareness campaigns, where, again traditionally, they will fail miserably to reach their target demographic.
Bearing in mind that you are dealing with people who are often not in their right mind or are incapable, as a result of their mental illness, of recognising that they even have a problem, these campaigns need to be creative, out there and in your face.
Not the bog standard bullshit brochure or pamphlet filled with droll and unengaging tripe penned by academics who have no skill in communicating at street level with real people.
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if just reading that crap contributed to depression!
So, having paid the wage and salary bill for all designated staff and newly appointed board members and covering the costs of all accommodations and business class travel as well as splashing out on marketing and advertising, you might be lucky to be left with a few lousy million that you can slowly drip feed, in incredibly small doses to those in desperate need until the next Budget handout is forthcoming.
Yes, it's fab that this loot has been made available but I wouldn't go celebrating just yet.
Let's reserve breaking out the party pills until we can be absolutely positive they are going to be swallowed up by the right people.
Our mentally ill and suicidal deserve better than some substandard product diluted with propaganda because those at the top demanded a much bigger cut of the profits than could ever be justified.
Prescribed feedback welcome:investik8@gmail.com
