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There's been increasingly polarised debate lately about mental health, including whether we have a 'sick note culture', the impact of increasingly poor mental health on the economy, and potential changes to the benefit system. All of which are complex topics in their own right, and conflating them or taking a binary view is often not helpful. Against this background, it's our annual Mental Health Awareness Week next month. We believe mental health awareness play an important and positive role. We don't shy away from conversations about potential unintended consequences; we welcome a spotlight on the topic and we want to continually improve the way we do things. But this needs a balanced and thoughtful conversation, not one that stigmatises people struggling with their mental health. I wrote a blog if you'd like to read more, and am interested in your thoughts. Looking forward to Mental Health Awareness Week! #mentalhealth #stigma

The new Mental Health Bill has been introduced to the House.  The Bill will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 which is more than thirty years old.     The legislation will support compulsory mental health care being delivered in a way that minimises coercion, is responsive to individual needs, and provides more effective care for those who need urgent intervention as a last resort.    In 2018 the He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction recognised the current Act was out of date and recommended new legislation that:   - reflects a human rights-based approach,   - promotes supported decision-making,   - aligns with the recovery and wellbeing model of mental health, and  - provides measures to minimise compulsory or coercive treatment.      The Bill is anticipated to have its first reading in Parliament later this month at the earliest, after which it will be referred to the Health Select Committee for consideration.  You can read more here:  https://lnkd.in/gkRQaPG6   https://lnkd.in/g3drzFtk  

Yesterday the new Mental Health Bill passed its first reading and has now been referred to the Health Select Committee. https://lnkd.in/gKWBSdAX The Bill will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 which is more than thirty years old. The new Bill addresses a number of the findings of He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction and contributes to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Historic Abuse in State Care and the Care of Faith-based Institutions. The new Bill puts people at the centre of the care they receive, and helps people experiencing severe mental distress to engage in decision making about their own mental health care. It also supports a future focus on safe and effective mental health care for people who require State intervention. The Health Select Committee will invite public submissions on the Bill. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/g3drzFtk https://lnkd.in/gkRQaPG6 https://lnkd.in/gqq5yFS3

Are you at #EPH2024 and interested in better mental health systems for vulnerable groups? Our colleagues at @_Prolepsis are presenting the aims, objectives, methodological approach and preliminary results of the #MENTALITY project. Mentality is reducing mental health distress in vulnerable populations, including children, migrants, healthcare workers, and those with pre-existing mental health issues. These practices aim to strengthen mental health systems, increase health equity, and promote well-being across the EU. With promising results, MENTALITY is paving the way for more inclusive and responsive mental health services.

Sadly, rural areas in Arizona are often overlooked and mostly lack comprehensive mental health treatment and care tools. What makes the problem even more disconcerting is that mental illness is one fight rural Arizona – like the rest of America – is losing. Access to quality mental health services is essential for the overall well-being of individuals, regardless of their age or geographical location. However, rural areas in Arizona often face significant challenges in accessing adequate mental healthcare. In “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Mental Health Services in Rural Areas of Arizona” I discuss the critical need to enhance mental health services in rural areas of Arizona. The article highlights the rising prevalence of mental health issues in rural communities, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, emphasizing the crucial role of quality mental health services in early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment. https://lnkd.in/gS6k2URC #RuralMentalHealthCrisis #ArizonaMentalHealthGap #BridgingTheRuralGap

Sadly, rural areas in Arizona are often overlooked and mostly lack comprehensive mental health treatment and care tools. What makes the problem even more disconcerting is that mental illness is one fight rural Arizona – like the rest of America – is losing. Access to quality mental health services is essential for the overall well-being of individuals, regardless of their age or geographical location. However, rural areas in Arizona often face significant challenges in accessing adequate mental healthcare. In “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Mental Health Services in Rural Areas of Arizona” I discuss the critical need to enhance mental health services in rural areas of Arizona. The article highlights the rising prevalence of mental health issues in rural communities, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, emphasizing the crucial role of quality mental health services in early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment. https://lnkd.in/gS6k2URC #RuralMentalHealthCrisis #ArizonaMentalHealthGap #BridgingTheRuralGap

Sadly, rural areas in Arizona are often overlooked and mostly lack comprehensive mental health treatment and care tools. What makes the problem even more disconcerting is that mental illness is one fight rural Arizona – like the rest of America – is losing. Access to quality mental health services is essential for the overall well-being of individuals, regardless of their age or geographical location. However, rural areas in Arizona often face significant challenges in accessing adequate mental healthcare. In “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Mental Health Services in Rural Areas of Arizona” I discuss the critical need to enhance mental health services in rural areas of Arizona. The article highlights the rising prevalence of mental health issues in rural communities, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, emphasizing the crucial role of quality mental health services in early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment. https://lnkd.in/gS6k2URC #RuralMentalHealthCrisis #ArizonaMentalHealthGap #BridgingTheRuralGap

Did you know Aotearoa has one of the world’s highest rates of forced mental health treatment? One New Zealander goes under the Mental Health Act (our current mental health law) every 46 minutes. Forced mental health treatment can cause harm and trauma, to both people under the Mental Health Act and mental health workers – plus there’s little evidence it’s effective or produces good mental health outcomes, and it’s costly to implement and run. It doesn’t have to be this way. We know a better mental health law and system are achievable, because there are many effective alternatives already thriving, and producing better outcomes, both here and overseas. Watch our video above to see how we recommend the Mental Health Bill (which you can also have your say on) changes in line with these insights. Read more about our vision for change here: https://lnkd.in/giBg-9pg

It’s Time to Speak Up: As we recognize World Mental Health Day, I want to share the findings from the recent Mental Health America (MHA) report. This year's State of Mental Health in America highlights the urgent mental health crisis we face, with nearly 60 million adults experiencing a mental illness and a record number of suicides reported. The report underscores the disparities in mental health access and care across the country, revealing that one in five youth aged 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode last year, yet over half of them did not receive the necessary treatment. The need for affordable and accessible mental health care has never been more critical. As we strive for a future where mental health is prioritized, let’s advocate for policy improvements and increased access to care. Everyone deserves the opportunity to recover and thrive. Together, we can raise awareness and support those in need. 💙 #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #AdvocateForChange #MHA #MentalHealthAwareness #CGOCares #TheMoreYouKnowWithCGO Connor & Gallagher OneSource Amy Zucchero

Sadly, rural areas in Arizona are often overlooked and mostly lack comprehensive mental health treatment and care tools. What makes the problem even more disconcerting is that mental illness is one fight rural Arizona – like the rest of America – is losing. Access to quality mental health services is essential for the overall well-being of individuals, regardless of their age or geographical location. However, rural areas in Arizona often face significant challenges in accessing adequate mental healthcare. In “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Mental Health Services in Rural Areas of Arizona” I discuss the critical need to enhance mental health services in rural areas of Arizona. The article highlights the rising prevalence of mental health issues in rural communities, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, emphasizing the crucial role of quality mental health services in early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment. https://lnkd.in/gVVxw9JE #RuralMentalHealthCrisis #ArizonaMentalHealthGap #BridgingTheRuralGap