There are many possible ways to spend one's time during the impending Rugby World Cup.
Some people will dress in the clobber of their favourite rugby team, and hoot, yell and holler at green fields across this country.
Others will feel strongly about various aspects of the event, and spend the time feeling righteously aggrieved about important social and political issues. That is fun too.
It is easy to forget, of course, that of the many thousands who will be tuning in to the event, one in six will have experienced a major depressive disorder at some time in their life.
Maori Television this Friday at 10.30pm takes a little time out to air that issue, when former All Black John Kirwan turns up on comedian Mike King's The Nutters Club.
The one-hour special features Kirwan, whose battle with depression has been given blanket exposure on television through his role as spokesman for the Government's depression help-line, again discussing his experiences, filmed "live" on King's radio show.
Yes, you may have heard much of it before in the advertising campaign, but considering the magnitude and pervasive nature of the problem, it is probably worth taking in again.
You or a close friend will, without doubt, have to deal with this issue.
Kirwan, of course, is involved in the World Cup, no longer in the All Blacks camp but as coach of Japan, and King has had to deal with his own mental health problems.
Kirwan talks about the need to bring the issue back to today, rather than looking at what will happen next week or next month.
"We need to make sure we look after ourselves every day."
His other observations about the issue are simple, but equally apposite. "The key words are 'It will pass'," he says.
The show, which includes input from psychiatrist Dr David Codyre, delves into Kirwan's understanding of living with depression, and how wellness is something people need to work at every day.
"I reached out for help and what it did was amazing.
"It took a while; some understanding, some personal discovery and some pain."
• Dunedin television station Channel 9 is set to radically change its usual daytime programming with the launch of a new hour-long special edition of Southern Attractions, targeting rugby tourists here for the World Cup.
From Thursday until the end of November, the programme featuring the city's charms will "capture visitors at their accommodation in the morning through to early evening" and introduce them to that absolute icon of Dunedin television, Dougal Stevenson. Outstanding.
