Improving community mental health and wellbeing

Call 0800 920 092 for Psychiatric Emergencies.
Community and Public Health provides population health services and information. We are unable to work with individuals regarding their health issues.

Mental illness is common, but can severely impact on people’s lives. Recent research found that:

  • Almost half of people in New Zealand will experience of mental distress or illness in their lifetime (47 percent);
  • Over half of the rainbow community will have a personal experience of mental distress or illness (57 percent);
  • Nearly two-thirds of people living with disabilities will experience of mental distress or illness (65 percent);
  • Māori and young adults aged 18 to 24 years also more likely to experience mental distress or illness; and
  • Most people know someone who has experienced mental distress (77 percent).

Source: Mental distress prejudice and discrimination in Aotearoa – Key statistics (Mental Health Foundation 2022).

People with a serious mental illness or addiction experience significantly worse physical health than the general population.

Consultation opens for Draft Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm

Ministry of Health media release: 23rd August 2024

Ministry of Health – Mānatu Hauora has opened consultation on the proposed strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm for the next three years.

“About one in five people in New Zealand experience harm as a result of their own or someone else’s gambling. This harm is not experienced evenly across our communities, with Māori, Pacific, Asian and young people are at greater risk,’ says Geoff Short, Acting Deputy Director-General Clinical, Community and Mental Health Directorate.

“While the number of people spending money on gambling is relatively small, for the first time in 2022/23, New Zealanders lost over $1 billion on the pokies, which are disproportionately located in higher deprivation areas.”

The Gambling Act 2003 recognises the need to address the risks and harms of gambling by setting out requirements for an integrated problem-gambling strategy focused on public health. The Ministry is responsible for developing and refreshing a strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm as required by the Act.

The consultation seeks feedback on the proposed strategic plan, service plan and funding and the gambling levy. The proposed three-year strategic plan drives towards four outcomes:

  • There is a spectrum of effective services and supports to prevent and minimise gambling harm – from prevention to early intervention to specialist support.
  • Social and cultural norms prevent and minimise harm from gambling.
  • Strong leadership and accountability of the gambling harm prevention system supports decision making as close to communities as possible.
  • The system focuses on those who are most at risk of harm from gambling.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Sunday 6th October 2024.

Free online therapy courses released in New Zealand Sign Language

Just a Thought has partnered with Deaf creative agency – Deafradio – to provide free online therapy courses to New Zealand’s Deaf and hard of hearing community. This initiative has been made possible with support from the Ministry of Social Development.

Two courses on the Just a Thought platform are available in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). The courses are available online and will teach learners how to manage mental health challenges using proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):

  • Mixed Depression and Anxiety; and
  • Staying on Track – a guide to support your wellbeing during times of stress and uncertainty.

The Coalition of Deaf Mental Health Professionals spokesperson Linda Guirey says the key for Deaf mental health access and support is language, and mental health information is generally not accessible in NZSL, so Deaf people often miss out on critical education and support.

Linda says “Deaf people have a distinct culture, and for most Deaf people English is a second language so having to access complex information in English written for mainstream society is not a cultural or linguistic match, and is often inadequate.”

A series of free wellbeing resources have also been translated into NZSL are also available from Just a Thought.

Downloads

Pregnant people and new mothers

Problem gambling

Impact of COVID-19

Documents

Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

Links

Contact your local office for further information:

CANTERBURY, MID CANTERBURY AND CHATHAM ISLANDS
Ph: +64 3 364 1777

SOUTH CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 687 2600

WEST COAST
Ph: +64 3 768 1160

For additional information, contact:

Psychiatric Emergency Line
0800 920 092

Depression Helpline
0800 111 757

LifeLine
0800 LifeLine
0800 543 354

Samaritans
0800 72 66 66

Suicide Crisis Helpline
0508 828 865

Need to talk? 1737 free call or text any time.

Wellbeing resources for workplaces

Mental wellbeing is one of the most valuable business assets. Workplaces that prioritise mental health have better engagement, reduced absenteeism and higher productivity, while employees have improved wellbeing, greater morale and higher job satisfaction.

Several resources are available to improve or address wellbeing in workplaces:

 

Wellbeing tips for managing financial stress.

Page last updated: 02/09/2024

Your health

Order resources

Copyright © 2024, Community & Public Health,