Mental Health
Mental health at breaking point
Insight - Darren Neilson would prefer different mental health care. He's not alone, but the system is under increasing pressure. Can a breakthrough be found? Audio
Families of suicide victims call for a better approach to New Zealand's suicide statistics
The National and ACT parties have received a frosty reception at a meeting with families of suicide victims after both sending last-minute representatives.
Cold reception for National at suicide meeting
Three mothers who've lost children to suicide wrote a letter in August inviting all political parties to a forum in Wellington - only National and ACT don't support their wish-list. Video, Audio
Empty pairs of shoes mark terrible toll
There were 606 pairs of shoes - each representing a New Zealander lost to suicide - lining the steps of Parliament today.
World Suicide Prevention Day
Hundreds of pairs of shoes, each pair representing a New Zealander lost to suicide in the past year, will arrive at Parliament this morning. Jane Stevens lost her 21 year old son Nicky after he was… Audio
Youth clinic forced to turn hundreds away
A Wellington one-stop youth health clinic has had to turn about 800 people away because a lack of funding means it cannot take any new clients. Video, Audio
Youth service turns away 800 after funding loss
The decision by a Wellington youth clinic to stop taking new clients at the end of last year because of a lack of funding has meant it's had to turn away 800 young people in need of its help. Audio
Does any political party have a good mental health policy?
Opinion - It's an easy issue to campaign on, but hard to get right, writes Jess McAllen. Comments
A call for action, not another review
"The moment the eye is taken off monitoring mental health resources, services and people suffer," the first Mental Health Commission chair tells Jess McAllen. Comments
High profile call to re-establish Mental Health Commission
The original Chair of the Mental Health Commission says there's no need for another review of mental health services - rather, action is needed straight away, starting with re-establishing the… Audio
Nelson man like 'wounded dog' after being refused pain relief
A Nelson man with liver cancer suffered weeks of agony after being refused pain relief because he was a recovering drug addict.
Main parties shy away from specific suicide reduction target
Neither National nor Labour will commit to a specific target to reduce suicide, but their health spokespeople say 20 percent would be a sensible one.
Is suicide talk dangerous talk?
Psychologist Nigel Latta on when talking about suicide is determinental to mental health. Audio
How the discussion around suicide ignores crucial voices
Momentum around mental health is gathering. But where are the voices of those who will be impacted first-hand by any policy change, asks Jess McAllen. Comments
'The toughen-up culture is costing a lot of lives'
A mother who lost a child to suicide is calling for urgent change after it was revealed more than 600 New Zealanders took their own lives in the year to June.
Pressure on clinical services impacting community providers - DHB
Mental health advocates in Christchurch say more distressed and suicidal people are coming to them for help because they can't get into specialist hospital services.
Psychiatrist and DHB criticised over woman's death
A psychiatrist and the Southern District Health Board have been criticised over the care of a woman who was found dead at home.
Suicide numbers rise to highest on record
The number of people taking their own lives has risen to more than 600 in the year to June, with Māori continuing to have the highest rate.
Tweaks improve quake-rattled children's mental health - study
The mental health of children suffering post-earthquake stress dramatically improves with small changes to their school environment, a pilot study shows.
Carer's relationship with patient deemed 'sexually exploitative'
A mental health support worker breached a vulnerable patient's rights when he had a sexually exploitative relationship with her, the Health and Disability Commissioner says.
