Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 Research

At the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand our mahi/work is evidence-based and draws on a range of sources and perspectives. It considers te ao Māori, lived experience, and clinical and academic perspectives to ensure it is relevant and effective.

The research summary below cites the sources, facts, findings and statistics that helped inform the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week – Belonging Matters.

For a copy of our full insights document or any other research related queries, please contact us.

Stats NZ (2023) Wellbeing Statistics

Stats NZ. (2023). Wellbeing statistics: 2023.

https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/wellbeing-statistics-2023/

• 4% of those surveyed reported feeling lonely most/all of the time; 14% reported feeling lonely some of the time.
• More than 760,000 New Zealanders aged 15+ experienced loneliness at least some of the time.
• Those who reported feeling lonely some of the time rose 10% to 14% between 2014-2023.
• Those who reported feeling a little lonely rose 22% to 26% between 2014-2023.
• Those who reported feeling persistent loneliness - 3.6% (2014), 3.5% (2018), 4.0% (2023).
• Loneliness was reported highest among disadvantaged groups including disabled, LGBT+, sole parents, migrants, low income and unemployed people. Transgender people 14.9%; disabled people 14.8%; bisexual people 12.8%; LGBT+ overall 9.5%.

NZ Health Survey Annual Data Explorer (2025)

Ministry of Health. (2025). New Zealand Health Survey annual data explorer.

https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202425-new-zealand-health-survey

• Loneliness some or most of the time increased from 9.8% to 13.1% over the last decade (572,000 adults).

Social Investment Agency (2020)

Social Investment Agency. (2020). Short report: Social isolation, loneliness and COVID-19.

https://www.sia.govt.nz/publications/Short-report-Social-Isolation-loneliness-and-COVID-19

• Loneliness and social isolation are related, but not the same thing. People may have limited social contact without feeling lonely, while others may feel lonely even when surrounded by people.

Helen Clark Foundation (2026) - Social Cohesion in New Zealand

Helen Clark Foundation. (2026). Social cohesion in New Zealand 2026.

https://www.helenclark.foundation/social-cohesion

• 84% feel a sense of belonging to Aotearoa New Zealand.
• About half feel a strong sense of community in their local area.
• Only 2 in 5 trust government to do the right thing.
• Trusts in the courts dropped from 57% to 45% in a single year.
• Nearly 2 in 3 under-30s feel isolated at least sometimes.
• Report of feeling isolation often: 1% in 2010 to 14% in 2025.
• Young Maori feel the strongest sense of belonging at 87%.
• 83% of New Zealanders have a close friend from another ethnic or religious background.
• Financial stress is a major driver of low belonging and trust.

Edelman Trust Barometer (2024-2026)

Edelman Trust Barometer Archive.

https://www.edelman.com/trust/archive

• The study reports an emerging pattern of social fragmentation and declining trust with a shift from polarisation (2024) to grievance (2025) to insularity (2026).
• Globally, 7 in 10 people report an ‘insular mindset’.
• Only 32% think the next generation will be better off.
• The trust gap between high and low income groups has more than doubled since 2012.

The Collaborative Trust (2022) Sharing hope

The Collaborative Trust. (2022). Sharing hope: Co-creating understandings of what gives young people hope.

https://www.collaborative.org.nz/_files/ugd/6a6b5c_bb0bc204638d4369aac2d7e441144c52.pdf?index=true 

• Feelings of hope are supported by resources, opportunities, supportive relationships, wellbeing support and self-belief.
• Feelings of hope are undermined by poverty, discrimination, limited opportunity, poor health and lack of influence.

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (2026) What matters for mental wellbeing

Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. (2026). What matters for mental wellbeing.

https://www.mhwc.govt.nz/news-and-resources/what-matters-for-mental-wellbeing/

• Social connection and whanaungatanga are among the strongest factors for better mental wellbeing, in particular for tangata whaiora or people with lived experience of mental distress.
• People who reported little to no loneliness had 2.7 times higher odds of good mental wellbeing compared with those who felt lonelier.
• People who reported high levels of trust in others had 1.9 times higher odds of good mental wellbeing compared with those who reported lower trust.
• People who felt it would be easy to talk to someone if they felt down or depressed had 2.2 times higher odds of good mental wellbeing compared to those who did not.
• Perceived political polarisation reduces social trust and cooperation.