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Published: 16 February, 2024

tailored for them,” Ms Orsborn said.    This report comes at a time when rangatahi and young people are experiencing higher rates of mental distress and longer wait times to access support. In the Commission’s recent Briefing to the Incoming Minister, we pointed to the need to expand access

Published: 31 October, 2025

,” said board chair Hayden Wano.   “We have a diverse, knowledgeable and hard-working board that is committed to bringing to life our vision of thriving together. The changes announced today put us on a strong footing for the future.” “In July this year we began delivering on a new strategy that

Published: February 2026

psychological distress among adults has significantly increased compared to the last five years and last 10 years. 22.9% of young adults (15–24 years old) experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in the four weeks prior to the survey. This was the highest percentage of any age

Published: May 2026

Effectiveness review and Evidence brief downloads Read the full review and brief on effective early intervention and secondary prevention approaches for rangatahi and young people experiencing early signs of distress Report In Aotearoa New Zealand, distress among young people has increased sharply

Published: 20 May, 2025

are failing to address well-established high rates of suicide and mental distress among our young people as a nation. There is overwhelming evidence to show that psychological distress and mental wellbeing for young people is declining over time. New Zealand’s high suicide rates was one of the

Published: 15 May, 2023

climate change to an increasingly online world. There is evidence of mounting levels of distress and declining youth mental health and wellbeing,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen Orsborn. “Young people have solutions and are experts in their own right. What we need is to collectively

Published: February 2026

Download Mental Health Bill submission pdf, 284 KB Since our formation Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has contributed to policy development to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand has mental health law based on human rights and eliminates coercive practices or reduces them to the

Published: 31 March, 2026

than any other group to be subject to compulsory assessment and treatment orders. “Te Hiringa Mahara has consistently advocated to end practices such as seclusion and compulsory community treatment as they can cause harm and undermine dignity. In its submission on the Mental Health Bill, Te Hiringa

Published: 25 June, 2020

response to He Ara Oranga on behalf of those with lived experience of mental health and addiction,” says Mr Wano. “We acknowledge the commitment from Government to transform the system, and we appreciate that it will take time. The mental health and wellbeing system is complex and requires a

Published: 8 June, 2022

We welcome the transformational approach taken in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, which passed its third reading yesterday. The Commission’s Chair Hayden Wano says the Government now has the means to ensure better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for future generations. “It is very good to