Key mental health and addiction findings: NZ Health Survey 2023/24 summary

We’ve put the key mental health and addiction findings from the NZ Health Survey 2023/2024 into one, easy to read summary.

We intend for this information to be used as evidence to support planning and investment, and to direct resources where they are most needed to improve mental health and addiction outcomes.

Overall, the data shows an increase in psychological distress, and unmet need for mental health and addiction care. While hazardous drinking has decreased, problematic use of illicit substances has not. In general, findings show significant disparities for disabled adults and Māori and Pacific adults.

Synthesising the health survey data is part of Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s role to be thought leaders in the system for mental health and wellbeing. We primarily do this through our core monitoring products. We have recently expanded our suite of evidence products to include shorter infographics, evidence briefs and data summaries. This data summary is an example of providing curated mental health and addiction information for use by the sector and system.