1999

1999 Publications

A Gift of Stories: discovering how to deal with mental illness.

Gathered by Commissioner Dr Julie Leibrich as part of the Commission's anti-discrimination work. University of Otago Press with the Mental Health Commission, November 1999. $39.95 from bookshops or University of Otago Press. (Not available from the Commission).

Work in Progress - A Process Evaluation of the Operation and Change Management at the Taylor Centre: A Community Mental Health Service, July 1999 (PDF, 841kb)
This report describes how a Community Mental Health team in central Auckland went about delivering a mental health service to their local population. The identified centre had successfully undertaken substantial changes in its clinical and administrative processes over the preceding few years, and was delivering a service that was well regarded by clients and other stakeholders as well as being consistent with many of the Commission's goals. The aim was to identify clinical and management strategies that could be adopted or adapted by other community mental health services. Nine chapters - 211 pages.

Occasional Publications: No. 2 (October 1999) - Borderline Personality Disorder - Pathways to Effective Service Delivery and Clinical Treatment Options (PDF, 268kb)
This discussion paper draws together the available evidence on treatment and approaches for people meeting diagnostic criteria for the mental illness known as borderline personality disorder. The paper was requested by the Commission because: 'Currently mental health services do not adequately address the needs of people with borderline personality disorder.' Appendices include diagnostic criteria, clinical and crisis plans and acute admission contract. 80 pages.

Annual Report for the period ended 30 June 1999 (PDF, 144kb)
The Commission's second annual report identifies strategic goals for the following years and names the Commission's Advisory Committee. Included are 16 pages of tabulated performance information and 11 pages of financial statements. 54 pages.

Protecting your health information - a guide to privacy issues for users of mental health services, September 1999 (PDF, 93kb)
For people who use mental health services, this booklet gives information about your rights in relation to your health information, and how to enforce these rights. It is a guide only and not a substitute for legal advice. Some common questions about health information are answered, such as: 'Do I have to give all the information a health agency asks for?' 'What steps does a health agency have to take to protect my information?' 'Can my health information be given to my family/whanau?' 48 pages.

Developing the Mental Health Workforce - A report of the Mental Health Workforce Development Co-ordinating Committee, July 1999 (PDF, 480kb)
This comprehensive report is one product of the national Mental Health Workforce Development Coordinating Committee, and describes progress to date on developing workforce plans and initiatives to address critical workforce issues. The material presented is in the form of 'work in progress', including tables, and reflects the planning of the Committee after one year. Content is intended to provide a useful resource document to the sector and to form a base for any replacement coordinating and planning body. 204 pages.

A Competency Framework for the Mental Health Workforce, July 1999 (PDF, 60kb)
A companion document to the one listed above, this document defines a set of core and advanced competencies for a skilled mental health sector workforce, for use by educators, regulators and employers. Core competencies and a strategic framework are tabulated. 28 pages

Employment and Mental Health - Issues and Opportunities, August 1999 (PDF, 128kb)
Intended to contribute to debate, policy development and understanding among the mental health, employment and income support sectors, and people with experience of mental illness, this discussion paper identifies various ways for stakeholders to contribute to improving employment opportunities for people with mental illness. Focusing on employment considerations for those people affected by major mental illness who need assistance to gain and keep a job, the paper discusses support needs and responses, barriers, employment services and programmes, the labour market, policy dilemma and the development of solutions. Appendices provide employment service models and examples of discrimination in the workplace. 38 pages.

Housing and Mental Health - Reducing Housing Difficulties for People with Mental Illness, August 1999 (PDF, 111kb)
This discussion paper outlines key issues in housing provision for people with serious mental illness and suggests a policy framework. It is intended to generate discussion and better understanding of the issues in the mental health and housing sectors and to contribute to policy development. 36 pages.

 New Zealand's National Mental Health Strategy - Review of Progress 1994-1999, July 1999 (PDF, 458kb)
This report provides a comprehensive review of progress made across all areas since the introduction of the National Mental Health Strategy in 1994. It looks at progress in terms of the mental health sector infrastructure, key partnerships needed to support recovery, more & better services, mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, mental health in primary health care, and intersectoral coordination. 136 pages.

First National Maori Child, Adolescent and Family Services Hui, 1999 (Word, 116kb)
The hui, held at Te Whare Marae, Porirua Hospital 20-21 July 1999, gave Maori CAFS workers the opportunity to network, identify training needs, exchange information and resources, discuss current issues, look at how workers can continue to network and develop a cultural assessment tool/process. Speakers presentations are summarised and action points outlined, with workshop notes and attendee details included, in this summary report. 23 pages.

Specialist Mental Health Services for Children and Youth - A Report of a Review of Recent and Planned Changes, May 1999 (PDF, 175kb)
Providing an overview of the specialist mental health services available for children and youth in New Zealand (as at 30 June 1998), and to identify barriers and issues impacting on progress with expanding and strengthening the services, this report makes recommendations to guide future service development. 60 pages.

Early Intervention in Psychosis - Guidance Note, March 1999 (PDF, 152kb)
Produced for mental health service providers, this guidance note has been designed to assist all who may be involved with people experiencing, or at risk of, a first episode of psychosis. The focus is on early intervention and recovery from first episode psychosis. This document may also be a helpful reference for consumers, families etc. Includes three pages of references. 28 pages.