Discrimination archives page

The Commission's anti-discrimination work 1998 - 2007

The past decade has seen the Commission undertake a wide range of activities in response to its statutory function under the Mental Health Commission Act 1998 to reduce stigma, prejudice and discrimination. The major activities are described below.

Encouraging service user participation in all facets of the mental health sector and wider community. This has included having a service user advisor post at the Commission, using a service user reference group to inform the Commission's work programme, and advocating for service user involvement throughout the mental health and addiction sector, including participation within the workforce. The Commission has also sponsored service users to participate in mental health sector conferences.
Advocating for people who experience mental illness through its on-going advice to the Minister of Health.Undertaking rights work for service users such as advocating for the reduction of compulsory treatment and seclusion, and promoting the use of advance directives. The Commission has also advocated for a better understanding of the human rights-based framework within mental health services.
Working with the media to reduce unfavourable and stereotypical coverage of mental illness. The Commission also published a review on media coverage: Discriminating Times? A re-survey of New Zealand print media reporting on mental health (Wellington: Mental Health Commission, 2005) and has published fact sheets on mental illness and crime.Chairing (and continuing to chair), a multi-agency steering group to implement the Multi-Agency Anti-Discrimination Plan (MAP) 2005-2007 (Wellington: Mental Health Commission, 2005). MAP identifies and draws together activities planned by the agencies to reduce discrimination. The members of the group include Like Minds, Like Mine (Ministry of Health), Office for Disability Issues (Ministry of Social Development), the Health and Disability Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Mental Health Foundation.
Keeping a watching brief over legislation before the House of Representatives to ensure the rights of people with experience of mental illness and/or addiction around discrimination and inclusion were addressed in legislation. Areas of response have included submissions on housing, employment, income support and transport.
Involvement in the policy making process across central and local government where the matter being considered has impacted on discrimination against people who experience mental illness. For example, the Commission provided input into the interagency review (led by the Ministry of Social Development and Housing New Zealand Corporation) on the importance of good-quality, ongoing housing to an individual recovering from mental illness and to their increased social inclusion.
Co-sponsoring a mental health and addiction conference on social inclusion in 2007.
Releasing publications that have specifically focused on the issue of stigma, prejudice and discrimination. These are listed below.

Anti discrimination and service user focused publications

The Commission has published a number of publications and resources that focus on stigma, discrimination and social inclusion.

Discrimination archives page

The Commission's anti-discrimination work 1998 - 2007

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