Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access mental health services ?
Q: How do I find a counsellor or doctor?
Q: How do I find out more about my rights when under the Mental Health Act?
Q: How do I find a district inspector?
Q: Who will help me if I feel I have been discriminated against?
Q: How do I find an advocate or peer support service?
Q: How do I find out about my rights as mental health service client?
Q: How can I make a formal complaint?
Q: How can I support my friend or family member?
Q: How can I find a support group?
Q: How can I work out if a doctor or therapist is right for me
Q: How can I find out more about working in the mental health field?
Q: Still need to ask us something?
Q: How do I access mental health services?
The first port of call is seeing your doctor. To access services directly, you could call your local mental health service (see under Hospitals in the front of the phone book), but some may require a referral from your doctor. Or you could call the Ministry of Health Healthline 0800 611 116.
If it's a crisis or emergency situation, contact the crisis team at your local mental health service (see under Hospitals in the front of the phone book) or if there is immediate risk of harm to self or others ring the Police on 111.
The Ministry of Health has an information page on access to mental health services, and the Mental Health Commission has a map with emergency contact information.
Q: How do I find a counsellor or doctor?
Visit our pages on Finding a Doctor and Finding a Counsellor.
Q: How do I find out more about my rights when under the Mental Health Act?
If you are covered by the Mental Health Act, you can request a visit from a district inspector who will advise you of your rights and the review process.
There's a good chapter on your rights under the act, in a Wellington Community Law Centre book called Mental Health and the Law: a legal resource for people who experience mental illness.
Try also your local Community Law Centre for legal advice, or mental health consumer network for an advocate and support. Sometimes a mental health service or District Health Board will have a peer support service.
Q: How do I find a district inspector?
The list is on the Ministry of Health's website.
Q: Who will help me if I feel I have been discriminated against?
For legal advice
Contact your local Community Law Centrefor legal advice
For complaints when human rights are being violated
Human Rights Commission 800 496 877
For a discrimination and complaints guide
Human Rights Commission 0800 496 877
Q: How do I find a lawyer?
For low cost legal advice visit your local Community Law Centre
For those under 25 years, Youthlaw has an advice line from 10am-4pm. You can call collect, nationwide (09) 309-6967.
Q: How do I find an advocate or peer support service?
Try your local mental health consumer network or our advocacy links page.
You can also contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau for your local numbers - 0800 367 222.
Sometimes the mental health service or district health board will have a peer support service.
Q: How do I find out about my rights as mental health service client?
There is a Code of Rights put out by the Health and Disability Commissioner that outlines the rights of users of any health & disability service. If you feel your rights have been breached you can contact them for advice on 0800 11 22 33.
The Mental Health Commission produced the following 2005 resource Oranga Ngakau - Getting the most out of mental health services.
Q: How can I make a formal complaint?
Complaint with a health service received
Health and Disability Commissioner
0800 11 22 33
Flier outlining the complaints process.
Complaint around human rights being violated
Human Rights Commission
0800 496 877
The Human Rights Commission has produced a guide, 'Making complaints: a guide for mental health service users.'
Complaint that privacy has been invaded
Privacy Commissioner
0800 803 909
Complaint line website
Complaint Line is a gateway website for disputes resolution and investigation agencies that provide the New Zealand public with complaint resolution processes.
Q: How can I support my friend or family member?
It's great you are providing support. Has your friend or family member seen their doctor? If you feel comfortable about it, perhaps you could offer to accompany them for support.
If you have support for yourself it makes it easier to support and assist others. Read our information sheet on Support options for whanau, friends and caregivers.
The Mental Health Commission produced a booklet for families that could assist you - When someone you care about has mental health or addiction problems.
Skylight produced a booklet called - What happens next?! : support and information for parents, caregivers and family/whåanau of young people who have a mental illness or call 0800 299 100 for a copy.
Educating yourself about the condition, mental well-being, self-care and discrimination will also be valuable.
You and your family could also use the confidential counselling phone lines at times when you feel you need extra support or to work out your own self-care plan.
Lifeline 522 2999 or 0800 543 354
Youthline 0800 376 633
Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
Q: How can I find a support group?
View our Resource Finder page of links to a range of support groups nationwide.
Q: How can I work out if a doctor or therapist is right for me?
Choosing a therapist can be difficult. Here are some questions you might like to ask. Be assertive if you feel uncomfortable.
Call the prospective therapist and interview them by phone. Compare their answers with your own views on how change will occur. Find a therapist who is a good fit. Remember that changes result principally from your input and participation.
Find out:
- What training and/or experience does the person have?
- What references do they have?
- What is their philosophy about therapy?
- What do you think of their diagnosis?
- How do they think change happens?
- How important do they consider collaboration to the process of therapy?
- How important is client participation?
- How long are the sessions?
- How many sessions do they average per client?
- Are they caring and empathic?
- Do they have a manner that you feel comfortable with?
- Do you feel confident about them as a person and as a practitioner?
- Do they listen to what you have to say?
- Do they ask you questions?
If you find you and the practitioner you have chosen to work with are not compatible you are free to choose another person or service. While it's important to give the relationship a chance to develop, find another therapist if:
- You don't like your therapist.
- If you think your therapist sees your problems or situation as hopeless.
- You are asking for something in therapy (such as feedback or suggestions) and you're not getting it or you're told more time or testing is required.
- You don't agree with the goals of the therapist or don't think they are your goals.
- You think your therapist doesn't like you, understand you or appreciate your point of view.
- You don't get some positive results within three sessions.
[Source: Complementary and Alternative Therapies and Mental Health. c 2003 Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.]
Useful books
Te Pou. (2010). A guide to talking therapies in New Zealand. Auckland: Te Pou.
Zemek Todd (2004) Shopping for a shrink: a simple guide to seeing a counsellor or therapist. South Australia: Wakefield Press.
Manthei R & Miller J (2000) Good counselling: a guide for clients. New Zealand: Pearson Education.
Useful Websites
Q & A about Counselling for Young People ~ Youth Law
Q: How can I find out more about training to work in the mental health field?
NZ Mental Health and Addictions Workforce Development Programmes
Careers in Mental Health and Addiction, Te Pou
Careerforce - supports education and skill development in New Zealand’s health, disability and aged support sectors
Vacancies:
Kiwi Health Jobs
Auckland Regional Public Health Service
Auckland Health Jobs
Seek
Q: Still need to ask us something?
Send your question to our information officers at: info "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
