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Published: 25 March, 2026

faced longer wait times than other age groups, and experienced higher rates of declined referrals. For 19-24 years olds, access continued to decrease.   “What is equally concerning is that young people are reporting higher levels of psychological distress. “We are also seeing considerable regional

Published: November 2025

on the determinants of mental wellbeing, prioritising people with high and unmet needs. At the same time, invest in the future to: 4.    Make destigmatisation training and education on the role and value of lived experience widely available for the health workforce and other agencies

Published: 10 October, 2022

of the pandemic on mental health in Aotearoa. In short: Media coverage on the mental health problems contributed to by the pandemic has been concentrated on the changes to people’s work, education, and lifestyle, the material impacts of this, and loneliness Media coverage on mental health solutions

Published: 27 June, 2023

and have higher rates of mental distress than other populations groups, have been advocating for equitable funding for kaupapa Māori services for decades. The proportion of tāngata whaiora Māori accessing Māori specialist mental health and addiction services has decreased over the last five-year

Published: April 2026

seen within three weeks. High inequity remains for Māori and Pacific peoples with higher rates of CCTO and seclusion. Capacity of the mental health and addictions system has increased with more staff employed since 2023 and decreased vacancy rates. Investment has increased, with a 49 per cent

Published: 10 July, 2025

private practice as an addiction practitioner and clinical supervisor; and as a tutor in addiction studies at the University of Auckland. His previous roles in the sector have included consumer advisory and peer support roles; and roles in education, research, and governance.  He is actively

Published: 17 May, 2023

pleased to see considerable reduction in the rate of young people admitted to adult inpatient services over the last decade.  However, systemic changes are required, with committed leadership and a detailed action plan for responding to young people experiencing crisis and acute distress

Published: 5 June, 2024

complex cases. For example, vacancies rates sit at 22% for psychologists and 19% for psychiatrists. “What we’re seeing is that under-pressure services have constraints on how many people they can see, with some people not meeting the threshold to access specialist services. Some people can get

Published: 20 May, 2025

understand what is standing in the way of committing to a fixed end date. It’s also important to learn from services who have successfully achieved lower rates of seclusion and compulsory treatment orders and share insights to shift practice. Upholding rights and agency of people who need mental

Published: 13 December, 2023

to meet the needs of rangatahi and young people, deliver services that work for Māori, and  ensure anyone experiencing severe mental illness able to access care they need while having their right to choice respected.   It is alarming that rates of psychological distress among our