Mental Health
Figures reveal under-staffing of mental health sector
Figures released to Nine to Noon under the Official Information Act reveal serious under-staffing in the mental health sector. There are 55 vacant positions for psychiatrists, nearly 100 unfilled… Audio
Kyle MacDonald: mental health funding
The CTU's economist Bill Rosenberg reckons the government's health budget is $215m short of what it says it can cover in services. Health minister Jonathan Coleman disagrees. Psychotherapist Kyle… Audio
New 'Need to Talk' number for mental health help
A new 24/7 free text and call number has been launched to provide people with easier access to mental health and addiction services. Video
Creativity and mental health
"Affirming identity through art" - that's the mission of the gallery directed by my first guest, Deidre Dahlberg. She runs Pablo Art Studios - where art is a form of healing as well as expression. Audio
New approaches needed to mental health - Coleman
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched a new free 24-7 phone and text number for people to connect to mental health and addiction professionals. But is the Government doing enough? Video, Audio
'Stop undervaluing our loved ones' lives'
An Oamaru woman who lost her son to suicide says the government's draft suicide prevention plan is "spineless".
Alarm raised about principal's burnout rate
A survey by the teachers and principals union NZEI has found principals report 70 percent higher rates of burnout and more than double the rate of stress compared to the general population. Rural… Audio
Who’s helping the kids in Christchurch East?
In eastern Christchurch, poverty and earthquake stress have added trauma on trauma. We meet the people in the community trying to ensure the kids there are more than statistics. Video
Daphne Merkin - This Close to Happy
Part of the reason people are suspicious of severe depression is that we're all a little depressed, says writer Daphne Merkin. Audio
Mental health workers lodge equal pay claim
The government has no intention of conducting more large-scale pay equity talks, the Prime Minister says, as thousands who missed out on the care and support workers deal seek their own claim through… Audio
Community health workers take legal action for pay parity
Thousands of community mental health support workers who were left out of the historic pay equity claim for care and support workers, because the government wouldn't include them, are taking legal… Audio
Mental health workers on mission for equal pay
Thousands of care workers in the mental health sector say the government should treat them the same way as their colleagues in aged care and home support. Audio
Holly Walker - The Whole Intimate Mess
Dropping the traditional gender roles of 'caregiver' and 'breadwinner' would benefit everyone, says former Green MP Holly Walker, who's written a memoir The Whole Intimate Mess: Motherhood, Politics… Audio
Supreme Court upholds smokefree policy in mental health unit
The Supreme Court has ruled a hospital's ban on smoking in its mental health units does not breach patients' rights.
Student fights for better mental health education
A 21-year-old has collected nearly 10,000 signatures to push for improved mental health education in high schools, after struggling to seek help herself. Video
Close to 10,000 sign young woman's mental health petition
Lucy McSweeney, 21, took a petition to the steps of Parliament today calling for better mental health education in schools. Video, Audio
Govt under fire over mental health spending
The Health Minister has been forced to defend mental health services, as Labour, the Greens and the senior doctors' union question funding levels. Audio
Health Minister under fire over mental health services
Jonathan Coleman faced a barrage of questions and interruptions during a heated session at the health select committee today. Audio
Christchurch recovery a story of two halves, says Labour MP
A fifth of Christchurch's residents are stressed most or all of the time; and nearly three-quarters of the city's residents find that the stress they experience has a negative effect on them. The… Audio
Christchurch sitting on mental health 'time bomb'
More workers and services are desperately needed as children with earthquake-related PTSD become teenagers, a local doctor says. Audio
