Our Work
Our purpose is to contribute to mental health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders.
We will continue to strengthen our independent monitoring and advocacy functions while focusing on five key projects:
New Blueprint +
The Commission has been tasked with developing a new Mental Health and Addiction Blueprint that will guide the sector toward adopting more cost-effective, integrated service models. Over the next financial year the Commission will conduct in-depth consultation on the new Blueprint.
Sector Visits +
The Commission will complete 10 sector visits to District Health Boards throughout the year, providing direct feedback to the DHB CEO at the end of each visit to help guide service improvements.
Consumers and Families
The Commission will work to strengthen the systemic advisory role of consumers and families. It will provide support and leadership; encourage the development of national bodies that represent consumers and families on national policy and strategy matters. This work will include the development of the Blueprint.
In order to ensure the Commission can deliver on its work programme for the year, and to manage the transition to HDC in 2012, the Commission has undergone a number of internal staff changes, including changes to the consumer and family advisor positions. For further information on consumers and families at the Commission contact info@mhc.govt.nz.
The Commission recognises the importance of consumer and family involvement in service planning and delivery. In moving towards transition with the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner, it will be considering options on how, in the new environment, to strengthen participation of consumers and family in the delivery of services and how to facilitate their input to inform monitoring and advocacy functions.
Service Development Plan
The Commission is supporting the Ministry of Health to complete a three year Service Development Plan that will set the vision for the future provision of services. This plan is expected to be finalised in February 2012. The Commission will provide expert advice and input into the project.
Population Indicators
Over the past year the Commission has developed a national framework to provide a high-level summary of mental health and addiction in New Zealand. The report presents 15 mental health and addiction indicators across three high-level outcome domains: health of the population, recovery- orientated sector and social inclusion. In 2011/12 the Commission will make information from the latest survey results easily accessible to stakeholders.
