Ryan Bridge: Is the Mike King situation really a big deal?

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

You can't say you care about and want to hear from people with so-called 'lived experience' and then dismiss them when you don't like what they say.

Everyone knows he doesn't have a PHD in mental health studies. Settle down, Sally.

He looked to me to simply be riffing his opinion. So what?

Props to the Mental Health Foundation and the Minister who've both handled their responses well. Giving kudos to Mike for his incredible work for Kiwi kids while also pointing out the fact there's research out there which doesn't support his view of the world.

Is there really a big deal here outside of Labour trying to score a hit job 'cause they're pissed King bashed them at the last election?

Also, what's worse for mental health in this country? Mike King going on a booze rant or Labour spending $1.8 billion on mental health and delivering not a single new acute mental health bed in five years?

What's, to use terms they love, more 'dangerous' for our 'vulnerable Tamariki'?

It's not Mike King, that's for sure. We can have all the experts, researchers, academics and politicians in the world writing essay after essay, at great expense, explaining our mental health problems - and it's fine that they do.

But what they will never deliver is anything like the practical, grassroots, counselling sessions and awareness Mike King has for our kids.

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