05.09.2023
We’re pleased to see the report and recommendations Under One Umbrella: A report into integrated mental health, alcohol and other drug use care for young people in New Zealand released this week.
This report was commissioned by the Cross-Party Mental Health and Addictions Wellbeing Group. This group was formed to raise awareness of the issues and challenges surrounding mental health in New Zealand, such as suicide.
Koi Tū research fellow Dr Jess Stubbing, who peer reviewed the report, says it highlights the gap between young people’s need for services and their engagement with them.
“Young people have the highest mental health need, and the poorest engagement with services. This report is a welcome focus on how we can change that story – and prioritise developing services which connect with youth.”
Core recommendations from the report include the need for cross-sector collaboration, good data, and youth voice.
The report acknowledges Dr Stubbing’s work including her doctoral thesis, “Nobody has ever asked me that” Reimagining mental health care through collaborative research with young people from New Zealand.
