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Report on Mental Health Challenges Bill

   

Added on  2020-04-07

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Running head: SUBMISSION REPORTSUBMISSION REPORT: MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN NEW ZEALANDName of the StudentName of the UniversityAuthor Note

1SUBMISSION REPORTCovering letterDate 11/07/2017 Submission on the Mental Health Challenges Bill/InquiryTo the Education and Workforce CommitteePersonal detailsThis submission is from Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, PO Box 10051, DominionRoad, Auckland 1446, New Zealand.I wish to appear before the committee to speak to my submission.I can be contacted at: Contact telephone number - 09 623 4812, Email address –info@mentalhealth.org.nz.I wish that the following also appear in support of my submission:Dr. John Crawshaw, Director and Chief Advisor of Mental HealthDr. Kim Jenkins, President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsSubmissionI support the intent of this bill because mental health in New Zealand is a serious and ever risingissue. In 2012/2013, according to a health survey, one among six individuals in New Zealandsuffer from mental disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorders and depression (Www.health.govt.nz,2017). Women are found to be more prone to the mental disorders than men among all agegroups. Unlike 13% of men prone to mental disorders, 20% of females are found to be affected

2SUBMISSION REPORTby common mental disorders. The most affected age groups of women affected by mentalillnesses were in the range of 35-44 years, while men of age groups 45-55 years are affected. 6%of the New Zealand citizens experience psychological distress and are prone to have a depressiveor anxiety disorder. However, women are found to be more affected by psychological distressthan men are. Older people were diagnosed with various mental disorders, while the youngergeneration suffered from psychological distress. Mental disorders are the third leading causes ofhealth challenges faced by the New Zealanders. It is behind only to cancer and vascular diseases(Www.mentalhealth.org.nz, 2017). In 2014/2015, the New Zealand Health Survey reported thatan approximate 17% adult are diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Approximately 6.2%of the adults reported to be suffering from or experiencing mental distress resulting in rage,depression, anxiety and confused emotions. The use of antidepressants has also increased amongthe population of New Zealand. Approximately 5% of New Zealanders live with psychiatricdisabilities, which limit their day-to-day activities. Reports reveal premature mortality amongindividuals suffering from mental health problems due to side effects of medications that affectthe cardiovascular health as well as high rates of smoking. Other conditions leading to prematuremortality among individuals with mental disorders include lack of proper treatment, socialdeprivation and discrimination (Galletly et al., 2016). The aim of the organization is toimplement various approaches that would help to decrease mental health cases in New Zealand. I wish to make the following comments. Suicide is not only a social issue but also a healthrelated issue. Suicide rates indicate the problems associated with mental health as well as thesocial welfare of the population of a country. New Zealand has a high number of suicide casesrelated to issues of mental health. According to UNICEF, New Zealand has the highest numberof youth suicides among the various developed countries (McLoughlin, Gould & Malone, 2015).

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