Mental health initiatives have been allocated just over $200 million in Budget 2022, but it will not be enough to relieve pressure on a system facing rising numbers of people in psychological distress, says the head of the Mental Health Foundation. Shaun Robinson, the foundation’s chief executive, says any new investment is welcome in a Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Mental Health’
Psychologists struggling as NZ’s mental health crisis worsens
Monday, March 28th, 2022Psychologists are struggling as a grim picture emerges of New Zealanders’ mental health, two years on from the country’s first lockdown. Clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Thompson told 1News that demand for mental health help is sky-high, saying, “people are wanting more help than ever”. “We are doing our best but we can’t keep up with Read more
Young Australians not being helped by mental health programs
Thursday, November 11th, 2021
New research shows two in three young Australians with emerging mental health problems remained in poor mental health or deteriorated further despite accessing support services. The study of more than 1500 12 to 25-year-olds found that early intervention services in the primary healthcare system failed to deliver the required care. The report suggested a more Read more
Increased chaplaincy services needed at University
Monday, October 18th, 2021
A sharp increase in demand for mental health support has helped spur the University of Otago’s push to improve student support services. Counselling and chaplaincy services, especially for the university’s burgeoning Maori student population are in particular need of extra support. The costs of the additional services will be met from student fees. To achieve Read more
Unprecedented demand for ACC from sex abuse victims
Thursday, September 30th, 2021
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is struggling with the almost 400 percent increase in unsuccessful attempts by sex abuse victims to get mental health support over the past 15 months. Its national waitlist figures indicate failed attempts by sex abuse survivors to get mental health help increased by 387 percent and reaching 4131 in the Read more
Exercise and wear a mask urges Cardinal Dew
Thursday, August 26th, 2021
New Zealand Cardinal, John Dew, is adding his support and encouraging people to wear a mask while outside exercising during the lockdown. “Recently, Pope Francis took part in an advertising campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated and called the gesture an ‘act of love’. Wearing a mask when leaving our homes to use an essential Read more
Kiwis must ‘take off masks’ to prevent suicide
Thursday, August 19th, 2021
New Zealand mental health advocate, television personality and former comedian Mike King has some straight words for Kiwis about mental health. If we want to prevent suicide and help our kids open up about mental health, there are a couple of things we need to get on to. We need to do more to make Read more
Biles ‘coming out’ opens discussions about mental health care
Monday, August 2nd, 2021
Counsellors and spiritual directors at US Catholic colleges and ministries are supporting gymnast Simone Biles to prioritise her mental health The counsellors and spiritual directors told CNS her decision has opened up a broader and much-needed discussion about the importance of mental health care. “Even if we aren’t carrying around the pressure of performing as Read more
Lockdown distresses almost half of young people
Monday, November 9th, 2020
Lockdown affected wellbeing for many people, especially young ones, an Otago University study has found. The study undertaken during lockdown is providing a glimpse into New Zealand’s mental health. Young people in particular found it hard-going. The study results were reported in a research paper,’Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and wellbeing in New Zealand Read more
Welcome to the disillusionment phase: COVID at 6 months
Monday, September 21st, 2020
Sunday September 13 marked six months since the U.S. declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The reality that this pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint, has started to take a toll on people’s emotional and spiritual well-being, with more than half of adults reporting a decline in mental health due to worry and Read more