Lived Experience stories, insights and hopes for the future of mental health in Aotearoa

Changing Minds collaborated with twenty-seven individuals around Aotearoa to inform the Transforming mental health law in Aotearoa New Zealand discussion document.

Our submission to the Ministry of Health was guided by the voices of tāngata mātau ā-wheako who shared their experiences of the current Mental Health Act and mental health system with us. Reflecting on almost 40 unique perspectives, our submission focuses on parts two, and five to seven of the discussion document.

What should future legislation look like?

A future mental health system and Act (if, indeed, an Act is required) should:

• Recognise the intersection of social, community, emotional, spiritual and mental wellbeing factors as central to creating a safe and healthy future for Aotearoa.

• Be designed with intersectional systems and supports in mind.

• Adopt a holistic approach to wellbeing which respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the diverse worldviews and experiences of Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako.

• Be committed to resourcing the mental health sector in a way that aligns with the scale of harm caused by mental distress in Aotearoa.

• Respects an individual’s autonomy and capacity to make decisions about their care and wellbeing.

• The absolute extent possible, trust an individual’s capacity to make their own decisions and respect their wishes or the guidance of their whānau or nominee.

• Entrench an individual’s right to peer support within the law.

• Facilitate and respect the creation of advanced directives.

• Use language that is reflective of the nature of our experiences under the Act, and which does not contribute to discrimination or prejudice.

• Uphold tino-rangatiratanga - self-determination - under which we see no place for coercive practice, solitary confinement (seclusion) or restraint.

Included as part of our submission is a Lived Experience Kōrero video, which we encourage you to watch and share with your networks to share first-hand accounts of the mental health system in Aotearoa.