Tēnā koutou
As you may be aware, I complete my term as Mental Health Commissioner on 8 February.
From 9 February I hand oversight of monitoring mental health and addiction services and advocating for their improvement to the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. As you know I strongly support the new Commission and it's vital role in making sure change happens. HDC look forward to working closely with them as we continue to look at people's complaints about mental health and addiction services. I will assist with this work as a Deputy Commissioner until the end of June.
I have taken the opportunity to write an open letter to the Minister of Health with some brief concluding comments on progress during my term and the critical challenges that remain in transforming New Zealand's approach to mental health and addiction. This letter is published along with a media release on the HDC website https://www.hdc.org.nz/news-resources/search-resources/mental-health/critical-challenges-remain-in-transforming-aotearoa-new-zealand-s-approach-to-mental-wellbeing/
I extend my thanks to everyone I have worked with across the sector and community - tāngata whaiora and their whānau, sector leaders and service providers for sharing their experience and insights. That has added greatly to HDC monitoring and advocacy. We are fortunate in New Zealand to have so many people with a high level of commitment, talent, generosity of spirit and hope in the sector.
I wish you all the best as you continue to work with the Government to transform our approach to mental health and addiction.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Kevin
Kevin Allan– Mental Health Commissioner
Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
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