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The Mental Health Commission's Policy and Advocacy Manager, Karen Coutts, addresses attendees at the Addiction Treatment Leadership Day held in Wellington on 6 November. This regular meeting provides opportunities to talk about the Commission's work in the area of addiction treatment, including coexisting disorders, and to be briefed on the work of others in the sector.

 The Mental Health Commission welcomes publication of a new guide to addiction issues as timely and relevant.

The booklet Investing in Addiction Treatment: a resource for funders, planners, purchasers and policy makers was launched today by Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton.

The booklet was produced by the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT).

Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says the booklet highlights the complex issues involved in the experience and treatment of addiction.

"Addiction goes hand in hand with so many other things, such as physical and mental illness. Coexisting disorders are the norm, not the exception, when it comes to treating addiction.

"This publication complements the policy work that's gone on elsewhere and reinforces the idea that people need access to treatment across a broad spectrum of services, based on concepts of wellbeing and recovery."

Statistics from Te Rau Hinengaro: the New Zealand Mental Health Survey (2006) suggest that 29 percent of people with substance-use disorders also have a mood disorder, and 40 percent have an anxiety disorder

Dr McGeorge says working with people with coexisting mental health and addiction problems can be very challenging.

"Some people struggle to just get through the day because of their experiences of mental illness and addiction," he says.

"For many it's a real battle to hold down a job, maintain a relationship, remain in their home, stay out of jail and other institutions, and keep above the financial breadline.

"It's difficult also for the people working in this field, as they are expected to provide the best possible care with limited resources.

"One of the problems the Commission has identified is the fact that clinical services are still largely separated along mental health and addiction lines. This is out of step with the reality of people's lives and needs to change."

Dr McGeorge says the Commission is promoting greater integration of services for people with coexisting needs by identifying barriers to integration and suggesting ways to overcome these.

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 The Mental Health Commission sends its sympathies to the family of Shane Fisher following an inquest into the Auckland man’s death.

Mr Fisher died two years ago while a patient at Auckland Hospital’s psychiatric acute unit.

Chair Commissioner Dr Peter McGeorge says the death of any patient is tragic.

“This has been a terrible time for Shane Fisher’s family and friends, and I hope the inquest has provided some of the answers they’re seeking.”

He says the Commission will study the results of the inquest to identify broader issues of performance that the mental health and addiction sector needs to reflect on and address. It will then seek to advocate on behalf of consumers and families for ways in which these issues and gaps in service might be addressed.

“Hundreds of people receive the treatment and care they need every day without incident” he says.

“However the Commission is very concerned when anything goes wrong while people are using mental health services and is committed to finding ways of improving services and mental health for all New Zealanders.”

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 The Mental Health Commission is urging people to make time this week for activities that help sustain their mental health.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs until Sunday 12 October.

Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says the annual event is a useful reminder of the importance of good mental health.

"Many of us struggle to enjoy good mental health at various times in our lives so anything we can do as individuals and communities to build resilience, hope and humour has got to be worthwhile," he says.

One in five adult New Zealanders experience mental illness or addiction, with about three percent of people experiencing severe difficulties. Mental health and addiction problems are more common among some groups such as youth and Maori.

Dr McGeorge says the Commission is helping turn those statistics around by monitoring implementation of the Government's mental health strategy, developing a shared vision of how mental health and addiction services can improve, facilitating collaboration between agencies, and promoting research findings and insights that will accelerate those improvements.

"We want to reach a point where people experiencing mental illness or addiction are offered the help they need, in its many forms, and are viewed as valued members of their communities, participating as much as they wish and are able to," he says.

"As the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week states, mental health is in our hands. We can all do our bit by making activities that are good for our mental health a normal part of our week, and by celebrating the diversity of life experiences around us."

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 COMMISSION WELCOMES REVIEW

The Mental Health Commission welcomes the results of an external review into the mental health services provided by Waitemata District Health Board to Auckland teenager Toran Henry, who died earlier this year.

"The Commission is very concerned when anything goes wrong for young people and their families using mental health services," says Chair Commissioner Dr Peter McGeorge, who is a child, adolescent and general psychiatrist.

"Reviews of this nature, while indicating improvements may need to be made in the way services are delivered, can if responded to promptly help reduce systems errors and improve the quality of service delivery in the future.

"We want to pass on our full sympathies to Toran Henry's mother and family as they deal with their tragic loss."

Dr McGeorge says the review findings have given the Waitemata Distict Health Board a number of matters to reflect on.

He notes that the DHB accepts the need to make some systemic and process improvements, and that that work has already begun.

"This review is specific to the Waitemata DHB and it's not possible to extrapolate its conclusions and recommendations to the country's 20 other DHBs," he says.

"Throughout New Zealand on any given day, many hundreds of people experiencing severe mental illness receive the treatment and care they need, without incident. That's particularly remarkable given the increasing pressure on mental health services for children and young people. Nevertheless young people aged 16 to 24 are far more likely than other age groups to experience mental health problems and there is a need to ensure that services for them are well resourced and of the highest quality."

The Commission hosted a youth mental health forum of experts and community leaders in Auckland in June to identify gaps in existing services, and to look for possible solutions. It is also looking into a number of issues that would have an impact on young people, including the use of peer support services, integrated treatment for coexisting disorders, and the roles for families when young people use mental health services.

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 The Mental Health Commission is disappointed the founder of the Psychwatch website has chosen to start naming individual mental health staff.

The Commission's Chair, Dr Peter McGeorge, says that focusing attention on individuals who work within mental health teams is unfair and is unlikely to bring about improvements in services.

"There are proper procedures and processes in place to complain about mental health services, and this is not the right way to draw attention to these issues," he says.
"Mental health staff work in circumstances that many people would find very trying at times. There's always room for improvement with gaining access to services but this isn't the way to get those improvements. Singling out individuals goes against all the principles of natural justice and it won't actually achieve what the founder of this website says he wants."

Dr McGeorge says people concerned about the treatment they have received should complain in the first instance to the mental health service involved and, if they wish to take the matter further, to the Health and Disability Commissioner.

"DHBs have procedures and the Health and Disability Commissioner exists specifically to deal with these situations," he says.

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 The Mental Health Commission applauds new legislation that paves the way for New Zealand to ratify an international convention on disability rights.

The Government has passed the Disability Bill, putting New Zealand in a position where it can now ratify - and comply with - the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mental Health Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says the Commission strongly supports ratification of the UN Convention.

"New Zealand has done a lot of significant work in the area of disability but everyone knows there's a lot more still to be done," he says.

"The UN Convention will provide a significant international legal framework to guide further reform of New Zealand's laws, government policies and community attitudes.

"We need international safeguards like this to promote the human rights of people with disabilities, including those who experience mental illness or addiction, and to push for greater levels of social inclusion.

"It's about participating in society and enjoying the rights of citizenship, and the Commission really supports that."

Dr McGeorge says the Commission will support implementation of the UN Convention by helping to raise the profile of issues affecting people with psychiatric disabilities and by identifying the barriers to participation that currently exist.

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Dr Peter McGeorge of the Mental Health Commission delivers a presentation to the New Zealand Psychological Society's annual conference in Christchurch on August 29.

 The Mental Health Commission will talk to a key gathering of the country's psychologists in Christchurch tomorrow about a subject dear to their hearts.

The theme of the New Zealand Psychological Society's annual conference is wellbeing: individual, organisational, community.

Mental Health Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says that theme of wellbeing has been at the forefront of the Commission's work in the past year, and will drive its work in the years ahead.

"It's really important for all of us in the mental health and addiction sector to have a shared understanding of what wellbeing means and what the sector needs to look like and how it needs to function to facilitate its occurrence," he said.

"That's why the Commission published a snapshot of what the sector might look like down the track if it consistently delivers the type of integrated, community-based services that people and communities want."

That destination picture, Te Hononga 2015: Connecting for Greater Wellbeing, describes the types and levels of mental health and addiction services required to fully implement the Government's national mental health strategy by 2015. The Commission considers that connectedness - whether it occurs between individuals, communities or services - is vital to achieving wellbeing.

"We want to get to a point where people experiencing mental illness or addiction are offered the help they need, in its many forms, and are able where possible to continue participating as valued members of society," says Dr McGeorge.

"In that environment people will be able to live free of discrimination and their mental health experiences, whatever they are, will be considered just a normal part of life.

"Talking to psychologists, who are among those at the frontline of mental health in this country, is very important to the Commission as we want to make sure we're all heading in the same direction."

The Commission is the main sponsor of the three-day conference, which starts tomorrow (Friday 29 August) and ends on Sunday (31 August). More than 250 psychologists are expected to attend.

Dr Peter McGeorge, who has more than 30 years experience as a psychiatrist and manager of mental health services in New Zealand and Australia, will address the conference at 11.30am tomorrow (Friday 29 August). Other speakers will examine the concept of wellbeing from a range of perspectives.

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 The Mental Health Commission is keen to ensure the needs of vulnerable groups are taken into account before police officers are issued with tasers.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad announced today that he has decided to introduce tasers as a tactical weapon option for the police, although he says it will be several months before they will be available for police use.

Mental Health Commission Chair Peter McGeorge acknowledges the difficult position frontline police officers often find themselves in, especially when mental health emergencies arise.

"These situations can be very fraught for all concerned. Mental health crises are often associated with extreme levels of distress and the police are expected to balance the need to respond quickly and efficiently with the equally pressing need to keep everyone as safe as possible.

"It's an unenviable position to be in and we appreciate that police officers want to be able to draw on as many techniques and tools as possible in these situations, including the use of Tasers.

"The Commission's concern is primarily that the use of Tasers by police may result in deaths, especially when used on people already in a vulnerable state such as those showing signs of mental illness and being on medications."

Dr McGeorge referred to Amnesty International's report last December of 291 deaths in the USA and Canada between 2001 and 2007 following the use of police tasers.

"We need more research into the psychological and physical effects of Tasers on individuals experiencing mental illness and addiction so that police can then develop the best possible guidelines to cover their use."

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 Commission Supports Law Seminars

Lawyers, health professionals and others will learn more about the law and mental health at a series of one-day seminars in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this week.

The seminars in Christchurch (28 July), Wellington (29 July) and Auckland (30 July) have been organised by the New Zealand Law Society, with financial support from several organisations including the Mental Health Commission.

Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says the seminars will enhance lawyers’ understanding of the law as it is applied to mental health, as well as the broader context of the current legislative framework.

“Lawyers working with mental health clients obviously need to have a rock-solid understanding of how the law should be applied, as well as the broader discussions that are going on about the application of human rights,” says Dr McGeorge.

“The Commission is strongly of the view that people experiencing mental illness should be given as much choice as possible about their mental health treatment, regardless of their legal status under mental health or criminal justice law.

“At the same time we acknowledge the value of having a safety net in the form of robust, consistent and coherent legislation that’s grounded in an understanding of the importance of human rights.”

Dr McGeorge says the Commission is planning several pieces of work which will contribute to improvements in the legislative framework. For example, it will examine how service providers in the mental health and addiction sector can better safeguard the human rights of people experiencing mental illness, it will contribute to reviews of the current legislation, and it will develop a research proposal to look at the use of Advance Directives which aim to provide users of mental health services with the capacity to influence the way they are treated when they need mental health care.

“Initiatives such as the Law Society seminars are important because they provide practical training in key aspects of the law but also provide a sense of the wider legal framework.”

Law Society member and Chair of the seminars, Tauranga barrister David Bates, says the seminars will meet a need for additional training in this area.

“Lawyers can usually go along to court and watch other lawyers perform, and from that learn what constitutes good practice. However, that’s not possible in mental health advocacy because compulsory treatment order hearings are closed to anyone not immediately involved.

“The Law Society has encouraged seminar registrations from lawyers and non-lawyers. This is in recognition of the need for lawyers and health professionals to better understand each others’ roles in simultaneously providing therapeutic assistance and legal protection for persons subjected to compulsory mental health processes.

“Each seminar will conclude with a mock court hearing conducted by a Family Court Judge. This will allow seminar registrants to observe what normally occurs in this setting, and also to ask questions.”

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 The Mental Health Commission will host a meeting of Māori mental health leaders in Wellington tomorrow to plan a national summit.

Commissioner Ray Watson says the last Māori mental health summit was held a decade ago.

“We want to celebrate the achievements of the past 10 years and plan for the challenges still ahead. The wananga will bring together people who can continue to make a real difference in Māori mental health and addiction to chart a way forward.”

Representatives from district health boards, universities, the Ministry of Health, Māori health organisations, and the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand are among those attending the one-day wananga at Wellington’s Turnbull House.

They will attend the launch of Te Puawaiwhero, the Government’s second Māori mental health and addiction national strategic framework 2008 – 2015, before spending the afternoon planning a national Māori mental health and addictions summit, to be held in 2009 or 2010.

The wananga will be facilitated by Materoa Mar, a former clinical leader for Capital and Coast District Health Board, current chair of the Mental Health Foundation, director of Te Rau Matatini and the organisation Yesterday Today Tomorrow.

“I’m hoping we’ll come out of the wananga with a united way of thinking about the issues and a clear idea of what needs to be done to create a blueprint for the next 10 years,” she says.

Research on Māori mental health, as summarised in the Māori Mental Health Needs Profile: A Review of the Evidence (2008) published by Te Rau Matatini with funding from the Ministry of Health, has found that:

• Māori are 1.7 times more likely to develop a mental disorder in their lifetimes than non-Māori /non-Pacific peoples.
• About half of Māori (50.7%) say they have experienced at least one mental disorder in their lives to date.
• Mental disorders are more common among Māori women and youth, along with those with the least education, the lowest household incomes, and high levels of unemployment.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Māori will develop a substance use disorder over their lifetimes (up until age 75).

• Māori have little contact with mental health services – most Māori with either serious or moderate disorders have no contact at all with any service for their mental health needs.

“The challenge is to turn these figures around,” says Ray Watson.

He says the Commission is contributing to Māori mental health advancement through its work on whanau ora and its legislative requirements to advocate for people experiencing mental illness and their families, encourage people to work collaboratively, and support the development of integrated care that meeets the needs of Māori.

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 The Mental Health Commission supports the idea of mental health experts working more closely with police.

Chair Commissioner Dr Peter McGeorge says there would be a great deal of value in having nurses based at police stations to help officers deal with people experiencing mental health problems.

“Anything that preserves the dignity and rights of individuals brought into the police station while helping police carry out their work with a minimum of interference and distress would be very useful,” he says.

“Mental health nurses could help defuse potentially fraught situations when people experiencing mental illness are brought into the station because they’re suspected of a crime.

“It would require additional resources, however, and attention to the logistics of how the system would work. In the first instance, it may be a matter of increasing the resource of community-based Crisis Intervention Teams or drawing upon or establishing an extension of the existing Mental Health Court Liaison Service.”

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 The Mental Health Commission is concerned about plans to publicly criticise individual mental health staff on a new website.

The founder of the Psychwatch website, Steve Taylor, is threatening to name individual mental health staff who he says have provided poor care.

The Commission’s Chair, Dr Peter McGeorge, says this is not the right way to get attention for people who feel they have been poorly treated by mental health services.

“DHB have procedures and the Health and Disability Commissioner exists specifically to deal with these situations,” he says.

“All DHBs have complaints procedures so the proper process in the first instance is to raise the matter with the Manager of the Mental Health Service involved then the CEO of the DHB if it is felt that the situation has not been adequately addressed. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint it is also possible to lay a complaint about the mental health care received and then let the Health and Disability Commissioner follow up, using the robust processes of investigation that have been established by his office.

“There’s always room for improvement with gaining access to services but most mental health staff do an excellent job in often very stressful circumstances. Singling individuals out in the manner suggested may make the situation worse in the long run and conflicts with the principles of natural justice.”

Dr McGeorge says a well-developed spectrum of mental health care is available, from closed facilities to community-based services in New Zealand. A wide range of health professionals, including GPs, currently diagnose and treat mild to moderate mental health problems, while DHB specialist Mental Health Services and psychiatrists focus primarily on the needs of those with severe mental illness.

“Clarification of who should be referred to a specialist service and who should be referred elsewhere is needed and should be a responsibility of DHBs but naming individuals who may be entirely innocent of wrong-doing because a robust process has not been followed is not only likely to be unhelpful but unjust”.

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 COMMENTS SCAREMONGERING SAYS COMMISSION

The Mental Health Commission says a former West Coast District Health Board employee’s comments in the Westport News are misleading.

Chair Commissioner Dr Peter McGeorge says it is irresponsible of former DHB staff member Peter Neame to claim murders and suicides will increase if there is any drop in the number of acute mental health beds available.

“While access to reliable acute services is vital, comments like that without substantiation or reference to the range of services planned to cover emergencies by the DHB just make people fearful, especially when he talks about people neurologically programmed to kill being put back on the streets. It’s scaremongering and it undermines the confidence of people requiring mental health services.”

He challenges Peter Neame’s assertion that community care for people experiencing mental illness is ineffective, saying his comments are out of step with international evidence.

“While it is true that DHBs need to make every effort to be more responsive to mental health crises, people with mental health problems need access to a well-developed spectrum of care which includes both access to primary healthcare, acute facilities and community-based services. Mental illness covers a wide range of conditions and those who require treatment in secure conditions are able to do so through our internationally renowned Forensic services. Most people with mental illnesses do not pose a risk to the public and require an integrated approach to care in the community.”

Dr McGeorge says the West Coast DHB is currently undergoing a review of all aspects of its healthcare services. He says it is his understanding that the DHB has a relatively small acute mental health unit with spare capacity, and that it has experienced a high level of support for its community-based mental health services.

“The District Health Board is obviously still going through a process of weighing up the pros and cons of various proposals, and comments like these are simply not helpful.”

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 The Mental Health Commission is drawing together health and community leaders at a youth mental health forum in Auckland today.

Representatives from health, education, law, youth, Maori, Pacific, the public sector and community work are attending the one-day forum, which was opened by the Minister of Health, David Cunliffe, this morning.

Chair Commissioner Peter McGeorge says the forum will identify gaps in mental health services for young people, along with possible solutions.

“For example, we know that youth experiencing mental health problems are less likely than adults to use the existing mental health services so we need to work out the best way of offering the help they need,” says Dr McGeorge.

“That might include some of the things already on offer but it might also mean working in different ways or providing different types of services. That’s what we hope to draw out of today’s forum.”

Statistics from Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health survey 2006 estimate that 28.6 percent of youth aged 16 to 24 experience mental disorders within a 12-month period, with a smaller number (7.2 percent) experiencing serious disorders. The figure of 28.6 percent compares with 25.1 percent of 25-44 year olds experiencing mental disorders within a 12-month period, 17.4 percent of 45-64 year olds, and 7.1 percent of people aged 65 plus.

“The challenge is to somehow turn those figures around,” says Dr McGeorge.

“The people here today have the skills and experience to make a real difference to the mental wellbeing of youth.”

A paediatrician and youth health physician at Counties-Manukau DHB, Dr Peter Watson, welcomed the opportunity to take part in today’s forum.

“As a practitioner I’ve been very concerned about the future direction of youth mental health services. No one’s arguing about the need for more work in this area – the question is about what sort of work we need to be doing.

“It’s good to see the Mental Health Commission taking a lead by bringing together some of the best minds from around the country to forge a path forward.”

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 The Mental Health Commission welcomes the launch of an education kit to help people understand the law as it relates to mental health.

The kit, The Law and Mental Health, has been produced by the Legal Services Agency as part of its mission of helping people access justice.

The Mental Health Commission's Chair Commissioner, Dr Peter McGeorge, says the kit provides valuable informaiton about legislation that affects, and protects, the rights of people experiencing mental illness.

"A lot of thought has gone into this kit and the Commission is really please to support it", he says.

"Anything that helps mental health service users, families, community support workers and health professionals better understand the enviroment they're working in is useful, and it will be especially good having another resource out there that service users can draw on."

The kit provides information and discussion exercies about legislation such as the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, the Privacy Act 1993, and the Human Rights Act 1993.

Copies are available from the Legal Services Agency. The education kit was launched by the Minister of Justice, Annette King, in Wellington last night.

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 NEW MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONERS WELCOMED

The Mental Health Commission welcomes the announcement of its three Commissioners.

The Minister of Health, David Cunliffe, announced today that Peter McGeorge, Ray Watson and Bice Awan have been appointed as Commissioners, with Dr McGeorge confirmed as Chair. Each appointment is for three years.

The Commissioners set the Commission’s strategic direction, confirm its annual work priorities, monitor its compliance and manage its finances and any business risks that may arise.

Peter McGeorge has been working part-time as the Chair Commissioner since January 1 2008, replacing Ruth Harrison who finished in the role at the end of December 2007. His position is expected to become fulltime later this year.

Dr McGeorge is a child, adolescent and general psychiatrist who has extensive experience in the development and delivery of mental health services in New Zealand and Australia.

During the past 20 years he has been involved in national policy development, reviews of mental health services, and the establishment of systems of integrated community and hospital-based mental health care. He has previously held positions as Director of Mental Health Services in Auckland and Wellington, and has worked extensively as a consultant to various health boards, government departments and non-government organisations. He currently combines his work at the Mental Health Commission with his role as the Director of Mental Health Services at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

Dr McGeorge is a co-patron of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, and he has been a board member and advisor to a number of other organisations, including the Youth Horizons Trust (NZ) for young people with Severe Conduct Disorders. He is a Life member of the World Federation for Mental Health, and in 2004 he was made a Companion of the Queens Service Order for contributions to public service in New Zealand.

He says he’s looking forward to the challenges of his new role at the Mental Health Commission.

“While many in New Zealand may not realise it, New Zealand has shown it’s a world leader in the development and delivery of recovery-oriented mental health services,” he says.

“The challenges are to continue pushing for improvements so we can give people with serious mental illnesses the best possible care, to make sure that mental health and addiction services are properly integrated across hospital and community services, and to support mental health promotion and prevention for the benefit of future generations.”

“Over the next seven years the Mental Health Commission will actively contribute to the implementation of the National Mental Health Plan and facilitate innovation and social inclusion by mental health consumers by helping to connect the various agencies that deliver mental health care and by promoting the concept of recovery.

“It is possible for people with mental health problems to live quality lives and to participate fully in their communities.”

The other Commissioners also bring a wealth of operational and strategic experience to their new roles.

Ray Watson brings extensive clinical, leadership and governance experience within the health sector, particularly mental health. His iwi affiliations are Kai Tahu and Te Atiawa. Previously chief executive of the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation and chief executive of Lakeland Health in Rotorua and Taupo, Mr Watson has also held a number of senior management roles at Lakeland Health, Canterbury’s Healthlink South Mental Health Services, Otago’s Mental Health Services, and at Cherry Farm Hospital.

Bice Awan also brings extensive leadership and governance experience. She is currently the chief executive of the Skylight Trust, an organisation that provides support for children facing all kinds of change, loss and grief, and she has more than 30 years of involvement in the public, private and consulting sectors in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. She has worked extensively in the health and disability sector, including time as the Director of Rehabilitation for a 2500-bed teaching hospital in Canada.

Meanwhile, the Mental Health Commission’s General Manager, Selwyn Katene, welcomes the appointments.

“These appointments will give the Commission the strategic direction it needs to carry out its responsibilities with vigour and vision,” he says.

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 Hon David Cunliffe
Minister of Health

Health Minister David Cunliffe today announced two new appointments to the Mental Health Commission including a new chair.

Dr Peter McGeorge has been appointed as Chairperson of the Mental Health Commission while Bice Awan has been appointed as a Mental Health Commissioner. Ray Watson has been reappointed as a Mental Health Commissioner.

Mr Cunliffe said Dr McGeorge is currently Director of Mental Health at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney and is also a previous Director of Mental Health Services in Auckland and Wellington.

Dr McGeorge has more than 30 years experience in the management of mental illness, and in the development and management of quality systems for mental health and addiction services.

Bice Awan is currently Chief Executive of Skylight, a non-profit organisation helping children, young people and their families through trauma, change, grief and loss.

“She has over 20 years high level health sector management experience in the areas of disability, chronic illness, trauma and rehabilitation, as well as strong governance experience in government and non-government sectors in New Zealand and overseas.

Both candidates have completed the necessary declarations as part of the cabinet approval process.

The Mental Health Commission was established in 1998 in response to the recommendations of the Mason Inquiry into Mental Health Services. The term of the Commission was due to end in 2007 but has recently been extended under the Mental Health Commission Amendment Act 2007 until August 2015.

Media Contact: Vikki Carter (04) 471 9918 or (021) 226 9918

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 SUICIDE MARCH HIGHLIGHTS YOUTH NEED

Today’s public march in Auckland highlights the importance of asking for and getting help when it is needed, says the Mental Health Commission.

The mother of 17 year old Auckland teenager Toran Henry, who was found dead last month, organised a march up Auckland’s Queen St at midday to raise the public’s awareness of suicide.

Mental Health Commissioner Ray Watson says it’s clearly a very difficult time for Toran’s family.

“The Commission joins others in acknowledging the loss experienced by this young man’s family,” he says. “It’s such a tragic event.

We need an environment in which it’s all right for young people to seek help when they need it. We need to do everything we can to prevent the loss of more young lives.”

Toran Henry’s death is being investigated by the school he attended, Takapuna Grammar, by police, and also by the Waitemata District Health Board after criticism of the mental health care it gave the teenager.

Ray Watson says the Waitemata District Health Board is reviewing its handling of Toran’s situation and he is confident its review will be both comprehensive and robust. He understands the review team includes an external expert in child psychology.

Statistics show that approximately 500 people a year commit suicide, many of them young people, and several thousand people are hospitalised each year for intentional self-harm.

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 YOUTH FOCUS FOR MENTAL HEALTH FORUM

The Mental Health Commission wants young people aged 12 to 24 to attend a Palmerston North forum on the state of the country’s mental health and addiction services.

A three-person team from the Commission will be in the city on May 14 to find out if the mental health and addiction services available are meeting the needs of the region's young people.

The Commission’s General Manager, Dr Selwyn Katene, says part of the Commission's work involves monitoring how well the system is performing.

“To do that, we need to find out if people are getting the help they need, when they need it, and in the form that’s most useful to them,” he says.

“A vital part of that is talking to young people about their experiences of mental health and addiction services. Their knowledge of what worked or didn’t work for them - or someone they know – will be invaluable for our work.

“We’d really like to encourage lots of young people to attend the forum. It’s your chance to make your views known.”

Dr Katene says information arising from the forum will be used in a written report but young people don’t need to worry about being identified as no names will be used.

The forum is 3.45pm to 5pm on Wednesday May 14 at Palmerston North’s Carramar Motor Inn, 45 Ruahine St. The Commission will provide free food and softdrinks and it would like attendees to text the Commission on 027 555 8029 so it knows how many people to cater for.

The youth forum is part of a two-day visit by the Commission, which will involve talking to health professionals, service users and their families/whanau, and groups with an interest in mental health and addiction services.

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 The Mental Health Commission welcomes an external review of Hillmorton Hospital’s Acute Adult Inpatient Service following the deaths of three patients this year.

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 The Mental Health Commission says that informed patient consent should be the norm when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is being considered as a treatment.

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 The Mental Health Commission welcomes today's announcement of a Government action plan to tackle suicide.

About 500 people a year commit suicide, and many more are hospitalised each year for intentional self-harm. The Suicide Prevention Action Plan outlined by the Associate Minister of Health, Jim Anderton, aims to pull together suicide prevention efforts over the next five years.

Mental Health Commissioner Ray Watson says a coordinated strategic approach to guide the work of agencies and researchers working in the field of suicide prevention is crucial.

"The death of a loved one by suicide is hugely traumatic and anything that helps prevent this happening is very welcome," he says.

"We need to build a society where support is available when it's needed for individuals, their whanau and communities.

"Statistics show New Zealand's suicide rate has fallen significantly in the past decade but the Mental Health Commission and others would clearly like that figure to drop further."

Ray Watson says the Mental Health Commission contributes to suicide prevention activities by promoting mental health and wellbeing, and by reducing stigma and discrimination against people who have experienced mental illness.

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