The Government’s new mental health and wellbeing strategy expands support for many – but significant gaps remain

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) welcomes the Government's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Implementation Plan and says it's a long overdue step towards turning mental health commitments into action.

“We've been calling for a clear implementation plan, so it's encouraging to finally see a plan that sets out who is responsible for delivering change and when,” says MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson.

The MHF welcomes several positive commitments in the plan, including a youth mental health and addiction action plan, expanding maternal mental health support, a national seclusion elimination plan, stronger lived experience leadership across the health system, improved collection of mental health outcomes and experience data, and investment in mental wellbeing promotion and workplace mental health support.

“We're particularly pleased to see a commitment to sustainably fund a national mental wellbeing campaign. Supporting people to maintain their wellbeing, stay connected and seek help early is critical if we want to improve mental health outcomes across Aotearoa,” Mr Robinson says.

The MHF welcomes the commitment to collaboratively develop and implement a youth mental health and addiction action plan.

“We've consistently called for a dedicated focus on youth mental health, so it's good to see that recognised in the plan,” Mr Robinson says.

“It's encouraging to see action on eliminating seclusion and strengthening lived experience leadership across the system and the peer support workforce. People with lived experience bring expertise that should help shape how services are planned, designed and delivered.”

However, the MHF says important questions remain about how the plan will be delivered.

The implementation plan states actions will be undertaken within existing health system resources, with agencies expected to reprioritise current funding.

“While there are many encouraging commitments in the plan, there is little transparency about how they will be funded. Ambitious goals require sustained investment, and it's difficult to understand what can realistically be achieved without greater clarity about resources,” Mr Robinson says.

The MHF believes the plan lacks clarity on how it will address issues that do harm to people's mental health, such as poverty, racism, inadequate housing, prejudice and discrimination.

"We must see significant cross government action on these issues – investing in prevention now is the smart thing to do, and the right thing to do."

The MHF would also like to see a stronger focus on reducing the significant mental health inequities that exist for Māori.

"While the plan acknowledges the need for tailored support for Māori and other population groups, it doesn't include dedicated actions to support kaupapa Māori solutions, which is disappointing."

The MHF is calling for greater urgency for young people.

The youth action plan is due to be developed by June 2027, with implementation to follow.

“Young people experience the highest rates of distress of any age group and have already been waiting a long time for action. A plan is important, but what matters is how quickly it translates into better support and outcomes for young people."

Mr Robinson says the release of the implementation plan should be seen as the beginning of the next phase of mental health reform.

“More than five years after He Ara Oranga, we've finally got the implementation plan the sector has been calling for.

“But a plan alone won't improve people's lives. The challenge now is ensuring it is backed by the investment, accountability and urgency needed to deliver meaningful improvements for people, families and whānau, especially young people who cannot afford to wait years for change.”

ENDS