2003
2003 Publications
Mental Health Issues for Asians in New Zealand: A Literature Review (2003) (PDF, 919kb).
Completing the first phase of a three-phase Asian project, this review, the Commission's first Asian-focused document, emerged in response to changes in the New Zealand population over the previous 15 years. It highlights the importance of improving the responsiveness of mental health services to the needs of Asian people. The review covers literature published since 1990 on Asian immigrants, refugees and foreign fee-paying students in New Zealand, addresses five key topics, and is substantiated by a 15-page bibliography. 88 pages.
Annual Report for the period ended 30 June 2003 (PDF, 722kb)
The Commissioner's sixth annual report signals a shift in the focus of the sector from a demand for 'more' services to a concentration on 'better' services. The report focuses positively on increased service user participation in the planning and monitoring of services, the Commission's review of services in metropolitan Auckland, and the mental health needs of Asian people in this country. Reports the year's performance and focuses on the following years' challenges. 76 pages.
Strengthening Our Foundations: Service user roles in the mental health workforce (Word, 255kb)
This report makes recommendations from a project which looked at the role and workforce development requirements of service users in the mental health workforce. Interview schedules for service users and participants, and demographics, are appended. Prepared for the Mental Health Commission by Chris Hansen. 45 pages.
Stakeholder Dialogues, July 2003 (Word, 437kb)
Key stakeholders' (service users, family/whanau, clinicians) points of view and experiences within the mental health system have contributed to this report. The common goals and objectives of the Commission's Stakeholder Dialogue Project were to: create better understanding and mutual respect among service users, family members and professionals; allow participants to speak from their experiences and belief systems in a 'safe' atmosphere; create partnership ventures through compromise and consensus; and change attitudes and practices in the mental health system. 'The dialogues described in this report were seen as a way to improve the quality of services' 26 pages.
Translating the Blueprint Resource Guidelines, June 2003 (Word, 333kb)
This information sheet answers questions about the project to map the mental health services available to people living in small and medium sized districts against the resource guidelines in the Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand, such as 'How will it help people who use mental health services?' and 'Which DHBs are involved?' 2 pages.
Report on Progress 2001-2002 - towards implementing the Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand, April 2003 (Word, 3MB)
The Commission's fourth Report on Progress provides a summary of national and regional progress towards meeting the targets of the national mental health strategy and the Blueprint, and includes user views of mental health services for the year ending June 2002. Under the headings of the seven directions of the national mental health strategy, progress is detailed using tables and diagrams. 72 pages.
Advance Directives in Mental Health Care and Treatment (PDF, 517kb)
Published by the Mental Health Commission and the Health and Disability Commissioner, this brochure outlines what advance directives are and the steps for mental health service users to make 'advance directives' about the giving of, or refusing to consent to, specific health care or treatment in the future, and the places they would prefer to receive services.
Occasional paper number one (January 2003) - Disability and Employment: Where is Government Policy Heading? (Word, 209kb)
An 'exploration of trends and new developments', this paper looks at what's going on in the world of disability and employment policy and how that is likely to impact on people with ongoing mental health problems. Useful sources and statistics. 4 pages.
Occasional paper number two (January 2003) - Emancipation Songs: Individual Participation by Service Users in Mental Health Care (Word, 203kb)
A literature review, analysis of New Zealand mental health policy and legislation, and 'semi-structured interviews with consumer advocates and local users' informed this paper (a summary of the author's Masters thesis), which makes recommendations to facilitate individual participation. 22 references listed. 5 pages.
Occasional paper number three (August 2003) - Asian Mental Health Recovery - Follow-up to the Asian Report (Word, 287kb)
Following on from Mental Health Issues for Asians in New Zealand: a Literature Review (2002), this paper presents a developing Asian view of recovery and identifies ways to make recovery more relevant to Asian people. Asian community and government agency responses to the recommendations made by Dr Elsie Ho in the 2002 review are analysed here, alongside general comments on what may be required to ensure Asian mental wellbeing in New Zealand. 19 pages.
Occasional Paper number four (December 2003) - Family - A Samoan Perspective (Word, 228kb)
David Lui's keynote speech to the SF National Conference (Christchurch Convention Centre 13-14 September 2003) gives his perspective on the importance of cultural and family values to Samoan people, and their impact on mental health. 8 pages.
Factsheet three - Mental Illness, Crime and the Justice System (Word, 349kb)
This factsheet gives a simple overview of the highly complex justice and mental health processes that affect a person suspected of committing a crime who is also thought to have a mental disorder. It contains background information only and does NOT aim to provide legal advice. 4 pages.
Joint Ministry of Health/Mental Health Commission Ring-fence Protection Project Report, January 2003 (Word, 262kb)
This project was to validate the extent to which DHBs are protecting the ring-fence around mental health funding. Service delivery and financial information from DHBs contributed to the findings, which were collated (by individual DHB, as well as generally summarised) into this report. Included are DHB views on ways the Ministry processes, or the interface between the two agencies, could be improved. 26 pages.
Oranga Ngakau - Getting the most out of mental health services (PDF, 775kb)
Produced as a recovery resource for service users, Oranga Ngakau was written by service users who have recovered from their mental health problems. This booklet gives general information about services so you can find your way round them more easily. Many helpful information sources and references are listed, as well as recovery and guidance tips. 40 pages.