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Published: January 2026

.  She is Chair of the Global Leaders Exchange for mental health and disability. She has a doctorate in education from Macquarie University Sydney and in 2011 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to mental health. Josiah Tualamali'i Josiah is of Samoan, Scottish

Published: 4 November, 2025

monitoring report , along with commentary about what a good crisis response system could look like for Aotearoa New Zealand. Our panelists were:  Sonya Russell, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Hinengaro, Waranga | Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, Te Hiringa Mahara Kerri Butler

Published: 5 June, 2024

across the system, and for the first time we have make specific recommendations based on our findings. Our speakers were: Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction System Leadership Natalie Horspool , Principal Advisor Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership Guy Baker , Principal

Published: 3 April, 2025

Analyst, Te Hiringa Mahara. The session was co-hosted by Maraea Johns, Kaitohu Hauora Māori | Director Māori Health; and Sonya Russell, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Hinengaro, Waranga | Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, Te Hiringa Mahara.  When: 12 - 1 pm, Wednesday 16 April 2025 You can download a copy of the presentation shared during the webinar. Download Access and choice at 5 years webinar presentation pdf, 4.1 MB Download

Published: 29 May, 2025

years there has been a drop in the number of people accessing treatment and support. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is concerned that people may not be able to access support when they need it,” said Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction System Leadership.   In 2023

Published: 25 March, 2026

Government’s  progress to improve access overall, there remains a long way to go when it comes to young people,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Director of Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership Sonya Russell. “When young people need support, we must make sure they get the help they need before

Published: 24 March, 2026

development of primary responses to mental health and substance use needs. Think tank participants were: Kevin Hague, Hayden Wano, Karen Orsborn, Sonya Russell (Te Hiringa Mahara), Bryan Betty (General Practice NZ), Darryl Bishop (Ember Korowai Takatini), David Codyre (Tamaki Health), Glynis Sandland

Published: March 2026

development of primary responses to mental health and substance use needs. Think tank participants were: Kevin Hague, Hayden Wano, Karen Orsborn, Sonya Russell (Te Hiringa Mahara), Bryan Betty (General Practice NZ), Darryl Bishop (Ember Korowai Takatini), David Codyre (Tamaki Health), Glynis Sandland

Published: 20 May, 2025

In this article Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, outlines progress by Parliament to repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.  With its 17 April report on the Mental Health Bill, the Health Select Committee has

Published: 2 September, 2025

improvements.   Our panelists were: Sonya Russell, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Hinengaro, Waranga | Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Ruth Borrett, Chief Operating Officer, Ember Korowai Takitini. Ruth will be speaking about