If you or a loved one were placed under a ‘future Act’, how could this experience support long term wellbeing?
Changing Minds wants to hear from our lived experience community, to help us bring the voice of Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako to the Ministry of Health consultation on the repeal and replacement of the Mental Health Act (the Act). Your anonymous feedback will be included in a Changing Minds submission, inform other lived experience led submissions, and themes shared with the Ministry of Health consultation hub.
Here are some questions to guide your thinking, feel free to reflect and comment on as many (or few) as you’d like.
Thinking about the future of mental health law in Aotearoa New Zealand:
If you or a loved one was put under a “future Mental Health Act” what would you like the experience of this to be/ feel like?
What things help improve or maintain your wellbeing? If these were offered as choices within a future “Act” would you feel more comfortable that your tino-rangitiratanga/ self-determination and rights were being listened to and upheld?
If you were able to write a list when you are well of what you most need/want when you are unwell and what works for you (sometimes called an “advanced directive” or a “living will”); and this was legally binding for clinicians to apply when you are unwell - would this help you to feel that your best interests are being looked after?
Do you believe there is a place for seclusion or restraint in a future Mental Health act , why or why not?
Thinking about experiences under the current Act:
Recalling a time you or a loved one were under the current Mental Health Act – what supported was available?
What supports, resources or services do you wish you or your whānau had access too, or wish you were offered?
Did you feel confused or frightened about the process of getting help, or being under the Act? If so, what made it feel this way?
What supports, resources or services would have supported your wellbeing prior to being under the Act, and do you feel these things would have changed whether you were placed under the Act?
What choices do you understand might be taken way under the current Act (i.e. medication, hospitalisation, seclusion) and do you feel these are fair/helpful – what would be better alternatives
The Ministry of Health are seeking feedback on a discussion document to transform our mental health law, to help create 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.
If you would like to share your thoughts directly with the Ministry of Health, this discussion document of open for submissions until 28 January 2022. Make an online submission at consult.health.govt.nz
Changing Minds has information about compulsory treatment here and information about ending seclusion and restrictive practices here.
Our lived experience community have a wide range of insights and views on the current consultation to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act. Talking about this topic could bring up strong emotions, if you need support at any stage, a list of resources we support can be found here, or you can call or text 1737 to talk to someone right away.
If you would like more information about our privacy policy this is available on our website. If you would like to discuss this mahi further, please contact communications@changingminds.org.nz.