Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill

Changing Minds is grateful to the Lived Experience Community of Aotearoa who continue to gift us with the honour of presenting their voices on the establishment of New Zealand’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission - an historical event in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.  

We have been charged for nearly two decades with supporting system improvement and representing the “consumer voice”, but it has only been in the past few years, through the mana of our community, that Changing Minds has strategically gathered, articulated and activated this voice to create enduring positive change.  

We recognise the enormous scope involved in the high-stakes task of “representing” those with Lived Experience, and we do not take that responsibility lightly, especially as we are not one homogenous group. Taking on this role is not only a huge undertaking for our organisation - as it sits outside our contractual funding and scope - it also highlights a gap in New Zealand for diplomatic, skilled and actionable advocacy. However, because we are passionate about this mahi and recognise the need, we have stepped forward to take on this mantle with pride.  

We have brought the voices of those with Lived Experience and those who are passionate about supporting the wellbeing of Aotearoa together in a strong, united approach. We don't speak as one organisation, but rather a collective whānau who support those who have expressed their mana and tino-rangatiratanga through the kōrero.  

We are humbled by our community, allies and partners who have given us their time and chosen to collaborate with us on this challenge – to articulate a future where all people can flourish. In particular, we would like to recognise our talented staff and Board, Platform Trust, OUTline, The Suicide Mortality Review Committee and the Mental Health Foundation for sharing with us what is also important to their communities.  

Our submission, 'Tirohia te kakano o te rākau kia pūrangiaho ai koe ki tōnā ake whakapapa' ties back to Changing Minds’ visual identity - a tree - which represents our belief that people can blossom even after experiencing extreme distress. Our submission speaks to the importance of understanding the story that is told through this document by our community; for when we understand this story, we can understand the needs of the people telling it. Our aim is to make clear recommendations to enhance the “Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill”.  

We acknowledge those who have passed, and our wish to learn from the stories of our whakapapa in order create a better future for those to come, and we thank the Health Select Committee members themselves for holding this kōrero safely.  

Ahakoa ko wai, ahakoa nō hea, ahakoa ngā āhua, he mea nui tātou, he tāngata!  

No matter who we are, regardless of where we come from or our experiences, we are the most important thing in this world, we are people! 

Download Changing Minds Submission to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill