Amsterdam launches campaign to break through taboo on talking about debt

On Monday Amsterdam launched a city-wide campaign with which the municipality hopes to break through the taboo on talking about debt and money problems. The intention is that the campaign will prompt people with money trouble to ask for help, the city said in a press release.

According to the municipality, people with financial problems often feel ashamed and are too embarrassed to ask for help. And those who do end up asking for help, often do so too late for easy solutions. "Amsterdammers should know that they can count to us. The faster you knock on our door, the easier it is to solve your problems. That's why we're launching this campaign today." Arjan Vliegenthart, Amsterdam alderman of Social Affairs, said in the statement.

The campaign was developed in collaboration with so-called experience experts - people who are in debt or managed to get out of debt. It revolves around a serious of questions, like: Sweaty palms when drawing money? According to the municipality, the questions are intended to a situation people on the verge of debt problems may find themselves in. For example, standing at the ATM not knowing whether you have enough money to draw. 

"Actually we want people to report to us at that moment already. Because at that time you can avoid real problems and painful measures." Vliegenthart said.