New Zealand Spends Millions In New Program To Help Teens Recover From Heartbreak

There are few things more devastating than teenage heartbreak, and New Zealand officials have decided to shell out US$4 million to fund a campaign that will help young people recover from the trauma and rejection.

The Love Better campaign was developed over three years by the Ministry of Social Development to minimize the harm youth face in their initial romantic relationships, which the government says is one of its “key issues.”

Associate Minister for Social Development Priyanca Radhakrishnan explained that over 1,000 teenage Kiwis had indicated that they needed more support in dealing with the emotion-filled experiences of love and hurt.

These respondents admitted 68% of them had experienced emotions “beyond the ‘normal’ hurt of breaking up,” including undesirable consequences including depression, risky sexual behaviors, violence, jealousy, and even stalking.

The effort recently launched a video depicting how young people discuss tactics to get over their exes and “move on.” Struggling teens can contact a dedicated phone, text, or email line—run by Youthline—that will help them process the breakup and “own the feels.”

“We know that break-ups hurt. We want to support our young people to deal with the hurt and know that there is a way through without harming themselves or others,” Radhakrishnan said.

“By supporting young people through these formative experiences, we can positively impact how they approach future relationships … This is an authentic way to inspire others to build their own strength, self-worth, and resilience,” she added.

[via CNN and Mashable, cover image via Ernest Akayeu | Dreamstime.com]