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Published: 25 March, 2026

sustained leadership embedded to ensure lasting, meaningful change,” says Ms Russell. The Commission has recommended that Health NZ take action to improve access to specialist mental health and addiction services for young people, including youth-specific crisis responses, streamlined pathways into

Published: 13 December, 2023

?   The COVID-19 pandemic, the increasingly severe natural disasters and the cost of living crisis has led to mounting concerns about whether services are readily available.  Mental health is more visible than ever before, and not always for the right reasons.   What we need

Published: 4 November, 2025

Crisis responses are a critical part of an effective mental health system, and we are calling for a nationally cohesive approach to crisis responses to be developed by June 2027. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a collection of services with components that are working well. Elements of a good

Published: 25 February, 2026

for young people, including youth-specific crisis responses, streamlined pathways into care as well as an increased range of effective acute community options tailored for young people. It is positive to see an overall increase in access to specialist mental health and addiction services and the new

Published: January 2026

Briefing to the Incoming Minister February 2025 Following the changes to the Minister for Health and Minister for Youth in February 2025, Te Hiringa Mahara -- Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission provided the following briefings to the incoming Ministers. Read and download our Briefing to the

Published: 26 August, 2025

This crisis response literature scan reviews international and Aotearoa evidence on crisis responses for the general population, Indigenous communities, and youth. It highlights shared principles, key differences, and what is working well. The scan finds that international system-wide models show

Published: 16 June, 2022

, and crisis co-response teams involving paramedics, mental health clinicians, peers and police staff. Over the past 10 years, such services have demonstrated that they can support people safely, and that people's levels of distress decrease when they are aided by people with lived experience who

Published: January 2026

We commit to being an organisation grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We have made a strong commitment to achieving better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori and whānau. This is front and centre of who we are and what we do. Te Tauākī ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Te Tiriti o

Published: August 2023

Governance Our Board Members Leadership Our Leadership Team

Published: January 2026

Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992),  a lack of understanding about the expertise of people to manage their own distress, and  a lack of safe, accessible community-based options for acute care and crisis support.  Read our submission on the Mental Health Bill , which seeks