Mental Health Directorate, Ministry of Health

Mental Health Home

About Mental Health Group

Strategic Direction

Te Kōkiri: Implementation work programme 2006 - 2009

Workforce

Access to Mental Health Services

Resources

Legislation

Mental Health
www.moh.govt.nz/mentalhealth

Latest Updates

1 May: April Mental Health Newsletter

23 April: Like Minds, Like Mine: Work Plan to 30 June 2009
Outline of planned activities for New Zealand programme to counter stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness

01 April: Future Directions for Eating Disorders Services in New Zealand
The Ministry of Health anticipates that District Health Boards will use this document to help guide planning for, and implementation of, improvements in the provision of eating disorders services.

25 Feb: Te Raukura: Addressing the mental health and alcohol and other drug needs of children and youth
Te Raukura: Addressing the mental health and alcohol and other drug needs of children and youth describes the key issues the child and youth mental health and alcohol and other drug sector faces and identifies priorties for action over the next three to five years.

According to the World Health Organization, mental illness accounts for 15 percent of the total burden of disease in the developed world, with depression set to become the second leading cause of disability in the world by 2020.

For several years, Mental Health has been a priority health area for Government. In 2005 the release of Te Tāhuhu – Improving Mental Health 2005-2015: The Second New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Plan, broadened the Government’s interest in mental health and addiction from people who are severely affected by mental illness and addiction to all New Zealanders – while continuing to place an emphasis on ensuring that people with the highest needs can access specialist services.

The broadened interest by Government is in line with recent research (Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey, 2006, Ministry of Health) which shows that about 47% of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or an addiction at some time in their lives, with one in five people affected within one year.

This website provides information in relation to the Mental Health Directorate, the National Mental Health Plan (Te Tāhuhu), the Mental Health Act and mental health resources.

Related information
Improving Mental Health Services Health Target

Website feedback
We welcome your feedback on this website.

Page last updated 1 May 2008