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An initiative encouraging young men to have ‘‘awkward’’ conversations about mental health has enlisted some of Dunedin’s best known student flats.
Silverline Otago is a student-run group at University of Otago aimed at promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Its latest initiative is part of an ‘‘It’s not awkward bro’’ campaign, and involves the recruitment of several, large, all-male flats around the North Dunedin area.
The boys of Backpacker’s flat are one of the groups that have embraced the idea with open arms.
After kitting up in Silverline merchandise and sharing a few pizzas, the boys were given ‘‘chatsticks’’ to prompt them towards deeper conversation.
Questions included ranges from lighter topics asking about the Otago experience to inquiries, such as ‘‘Have you ever seen your dad cry?’’
“You’re always told to have the chat but you’re actually never told what that chat is or how to start it.
“This was about flatting culture as we believe this is such an important part in male mental health, especially when you look at big flats and think that all they do is drink.
“These guys actually really do care about mental health and we wanted to show that,’ Miss Cook said
The experience made an impact on the 16 flatmates, many of whom were open about the fact they have dealt with struggles of their own.