September 11, 2023
Rangatahi voice needed in mental health reform
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Te Hiringa Mahara hopes a new report will lead to more support for youth mental health and drug and alcohol services.
Chair Hayden Wano says rangatahi have the highest level of mental health need but the poorest access to services.
He says long term political support is needed to transform the mental health and addiction system, so the cross-party nature of the Under One Umbrella is a good start.
The rangatahi also need to be listened to when services are designed.
“Young people have been saying for some time that their voices aren’t being heard, that they have a voice, but that voice has not been listened to. And so they want to see themselves not only in terms of the way that services are being designed, but also in the way that services are delivered,” he says.
Hayden Wano says there are some good examples of what can be done, such as 502 Rangatahi Ora in Porirua which provides an integrated approach including primary care, free social services, counselling and mental health support.