AJAs 2024 Finalists
Hunter Remembered
| Slug/Label | Hunter Remembered |
|---|---|
| Date Aired or Published | 15/07/2024 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | CBC NEW BRUNSWICK |
| Name of Program: | Information Morning In The Summer |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | Moncton |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | 13:06 |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: “Hunter Remembered” explores the concept of mattering in young people. It’s a concept, experts say, that is “more important and perhaps the most important theme in their lives.” Yet those same experts say it’s an issue that has largely been neglected and young people are suffering as a result. Hunter Lavigne is one of those young people who struggled with mattering. He took his own life in the summer of 2023 at the age of 16. In the documentary, his parents share their memories of Hunter, the grief they've experienced, the questions they have about his experiences in school and why more wasn't done to support him. We also hear from Gordon Flett, Canada Research Chair in Personality & Health and author of The Psychology of Mattering: Understanding the Human Need to be Significant. After our interview, and subsequent emails, Gordon Flett sent me this message: "I want you to know that the specifics here about Hunter lacking the feeling of mattering at school have resulted in me developing a much stronger emphasis on the importance of the need to matter at school. It's resulted in me gaining a better understanding of how central it can be in the lives of young people. In fact, I am discussing a potential book with some well-known collaborators. The goal would be to provide a key resource for teachers." My work on this piece began when I was covering another story in Bathurst. While I was there, I saw a post by Hunter's father on a community facebook page, talking about his son's recent suicide. I reached out to Mark and within an hour, I was sitting with him and Hunter's mother, Sheree, on the Bathurst waterfront. I recorded an interview then, which was followed by subsequent interviews over the next several months, as well as several journalistic standards and practices discussions about the sensitive nature of the story. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: I worked on this story, alongside my regular hosting duties, over the course of several months. |
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