Hone Harawira

Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Amendment Bill

Hone Harawira, MP for Te Tai Tokerau Wednesday 17 March 2010 Last week at a hui on Maori mental health up in Whangarei, Te Rau Hinengaro, the New Zealand Mental Health Survey, was discussed, a report which found that one in three Maori suffer from mental disorders during their lifetime - anxiety, mood and substance disorders.

To nobody's great surprise, those mental disorders are more common for Maori, and particularly Maori on low incomes and those living in poor neighbourhoods, and again, to nobody's great surprise, only half of those Maori with a serious disorder get the treatment that non-Maori get.

We know from our own family histories how poor information and the lack of involvement of whnau, has lead to breakdowns in relationships, and situations of distress, which have lead to devastating results - like how young Māori aged 15-24 are twice as likely to die by suicide than non-Māori.

And that's why the Maori Party will be supporting this Bill - because it will allow people to get access to information about treatment one of their whnau may be getting, to be involved in the decision-making about the treatment, to be fully involved in planning of care, to be informed about the possible side-effects of treatment, and to be consulted about discharge plans.

We know that whanau support during treatment leads to better outcomes for tangata whaiora, and better outcomes for the whnau, and we sincerely hope that this Bill will properly recognise the importance and significance of whnau support to the person, their family and their wider community.

This Bill is about best practice, and taking collective responsibility for the health and wellbeing of our own. This bill is about whnau ora, and for that reason we are proud to stand alongside the honourable Luamanuvao Winnie Laban in supporting this bill.