The Nōku te Ao Like Minds programme is a direct response to addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental distress. Hāpai Te Hauora in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Ngā Hau e Wha will provide the Social Movement service across Aotearoa.
Whakapapa | History
The Like Minds, Like Mine Programme was established in 1997 by the Ministry of Health in response to the Mason Report. It was one of the first comprehensive campaigns in the world to counter the prejudice and discrimination associated with mental distress. The Programme has combined award-winning national television campaigns, other media and communication activities with community action and education. Like Minds has thrived through the ongoing partnerships with people with lived experience of mental distress, and with Māori and with Pasifika communities. They have provided strategic advice, delivered community activities and have featured in the national campaigns. The social environment has changed since Like Minds began. Mental health is now firmly on the agenda and people speak more freely about their experiences of depression and anxiety.
However, the 2018 Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction indicated there is a long way to go, particularly for people who experience severe mental distress. There is evidence that Like Minds has contributed to improvements in public attitudes and reduced experiences of discrimination. However, people with mental distress still experience discrimination, most commonly within their whānau and social networks; when finding and keeping work; and from services such as Work and Income, health services and the police. Māori are more likely than non-Māori to report discrimination in relation to personal safety and with the police4 and experience much higher rates of compulsory treatment and seclusion.
This interim service supports the Māori mental health and addiction providers in planning, coordinating and delivering psychosocial interventions and mental health and addiction services during the current alert level response to COVID-19 and up to six-months as we move between alert levels and emerge from the impacts of COVID-19.
We look forward to delivering this response to ensure all whānau living with severe mental distress are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
For full details about this programme see the website here
Nōku te Ao Strategy 2021-2026
Nōku te Ao marks a new beginning grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity to ensure we work with and for the people most affected by discrimination.
