Find out about the legislation relating to mental health and addictions.
Mental health and addiction
Mental Health & Addiction nursing recruitment
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with VMLY&R, has developed a campaign to improve mental health, addiction and wellbeing outcomes by increasing the capacity of the nursing workforce.
The campaign ‘Are You Ready’ aims to:
- encourage nursing graduates to choose mental health and addiction as a preferred practice area and as a professional career;
- attract former nurses back into the profession; and
- increase the number of Māori and Pacific peoples working in this area.
The campaign will run for 2 years and is part of a comprehensive mental health and addiction workforce development programme funded through the 2019 Wellbeing Budget.
Find out more: Nursing recruitment
Updates & announcements
- 30 January 2023: New Mental Health Act Guidelines e-learning and information resources launched
- 2 November 2022: Govt delivers more wellbeing support to university students
- 26 October 2022: Govt delivers boost for Rainbow wellbeing initiatives
- 30 September 2022: Milestone of half a million mental health sessions delivered
- 1 September 2022: Govt expands Mana Ake to West Coast kids
- 18 August 2022: More funds and internships for clinical psychology
- 29 July 2022: More counsellors to boost mental health workforce
- 19 July 2022: New Porirua Mental Health and disability facility opened
- 7 July 2022: Benefactor’s donation a boost for mental health
- See earlier updates
Recent publications
Mental health and wellbeing year in review (December 2021)
Mental Health Quarter Three (Jan-Mar 2021) Progress Update
This document outlines the third quarter (January to March 2021) progress made by the Ministry of Health on implementing He Ara Oranga.
COVID-19 Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing Plan
A framework for actions to support the mental wellbeing of New Zealanders as we respond to the impacts of COVID-19.