Diagnosis in traditional Maori healing: A contemporary urban clinic
There has been renewed interest in traditional Maori healing in New Zealand in recent years, and increasing demand for these services. However there is limited information available about the contemporary practice of traditional healing, and its role in the health system remains poorly defined.

Maori experience of community treatment orders in Otago, New Zealand
To consider the impact of community treatment orders (CommTOs) on Maori patients and their whanau (extended family) and the associated views of mental health professionals.

Atypical antipsychotic use for adult outpatients in New Zealand's Auckland and Northland regions
To outline the prescribing patterns of atypical antipsychotics for adult mental health outpatients in Auckland and Northland in 2004.

Measuring Outcomes in Mental Health Services for Older People: An evaluation of the Health Of the Nation Outcome Scales for the elderly (HoNOS65+)
The present study examined the validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change of the HoNOS65+.

Youth '07: The Health and Wellbeing of Secondary School Students in New Zealand
This report presents recent findings on the suicide behaviours and mental health of young people in New Zealand. The report is based on information from the Youth2000 surveys of the health and wellbeing of secondary school students that were conducted in 2001 and 2007.

The Pacific primary health care workforce in New Zealand
Aim: To scope future needs of the NZ Pacific primary care workforce.

Recent developments in the funding and organisation of the New Zealand health system
During the 1990s, the New Zealand health sector went through a decade of turbulence with a series of major structural changes being introduced in a relatively short period of time.

Strengthening Māori participation in the New Zealand health and disability workforce
Substantial progress has been made in Māori health and disability workforce development in the past 15 years.

The role of the registered nurse in an acute mental health inpatient setting in New Zealand - perceptions versus reality
This study compared the perceptions that registered psychiatric nurses have of their role with their actual practice. This qualitative descriptive exploratory study observed nursing practice on three selected wards and used focus group interviews to ascertain from staff what they perceived their roles to be.

Corporate governance in the New Zealand public health sector
This research report considers corporate governance within the public health sector, an area which has undergone significant changes in terms of structures, focus, and the demand for service and funding.

Activities influencing the professional development of New Zealand counsellors across their careers
New Zealand counsellors (n = 123) were surveyed as an extension of a multinational study of therapist development.Comparisons weremade with samples of Canadian and US counsellors.

Characteristics of Chinese service users in an old age psychiatry service in New Zealand
There is a paucity of research on the mental health issues of older Chinese people in New Zealand. This study aimed to describe the profies of Chinese service users in a community-based old age psychiatry service.

Outcome evaluation of a community alcohol and other drug intervention programme for offenders serving community sentences in Auckland, New Zealand
Research shows that much of offending is committed by people under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or with a substance use diagnosis. The Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) Offender Project was implemented to reduce recidivism and improve health outcomes; addressing ‘Drivers of Crime” prioritised by the New Zealand government.

Coexisting psychiatric disorders in a New Zealand outpatient alcohol and other drug clinical population
To describe the extent of psychiatric disorder and mental health service utilization in a representative outpatient alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment sample in New Zealand.

Alcohol assessment: the practice, knowledge, and attitudes of staff working in the general medical wards of a large metropolitan hospital
To measure the prevalence of routine alcohol assessment; to assess its clinical utility in the general medical wards of a large urban hospital; and to assess medical and nursing staff knowledge with regard to standard drink measures and recommended drinking limits as well as their attitudes towards alcohol assessment.

Leaping Hurdles: Pilot study into the effectiveness of an occupation-based group for anxious and depressed children
Evaluation of the acceptability and effectiveness of the Leaping Hurdles intervention: an occupation-based anxiety and mood management group for children aged 10-14 years, alongside a parenting group. Leaping Hurdles was found to be an acceptable and useful intervention for reducing child-, parent- and clinician-rated symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders while increasing functioning.

Professional development perceptions and activities of psychiatrists and mental health nurses in New Zealand
Psychiatrists (n=26) and mental health nurses (n=18) engaged in the practice of psychotherapy were surveyed regarding their perceptions and engagement in professional development activities.

Clinical considerations of antidepressant prescribing for older patients
Depression may affect up to 50% of people in older age groups. The increasing numbers of patients over 65 years of age may lead to higher prevalence rates of this debilitating condition.

Problematic substance use in older adults: a rapid literature scan
The purpose of this project was to identify practical resources for service providers who work with older adults in residential aged care with historical or current substance use problems.

Routine 'Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for elderly people' (HoNOS65+) collection in an acute psychogeriatric inpatient unit in New Zealand
HoNOS (Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale) is an outcome measure used by mental health professionals aiming to give a snapshot of a person’s psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning.

Quality of life of people with dementia and their informal caregivers
This study was the first aiming to measure quality of life (QoL) of persons with dementia and their informal caregivers in New Zealand. To date, it is also the only study examining what interventions from primary and secondary care in New Zealand are helpful for enhancing QoL and what these interventions cost.

Asian Health in Aotearoa in 2006 - 2007. Trends since 2002-2003
The completion of the 2006-07 New Zealand Health Survey has provided an opportunity to update the information on the health status of Asian people living in New Zealand, in comparison with the earlier 2002-03 New Zealand Health Survey (both funded by the Ministry of Health).

Reporting of suicide in New Zealand media - a content analysis
This report provides a baseline picture of the extent and nature of reporting of suicide by the New Zealand news media. It was completed as part of the Ministry of Health’s implementation of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008-2012.

A survey of publicly funded aged psychiatry services in Australia and New Zealand
The study mapped the size and distribution of publicly funded aged psychiatry (psychogeriatric) services in Australia and New Zealand in 2003.

New Zealand's psychiatry of old age services. Revisiting 'the view from the bottom of the cliff' - have we made any progress since 1998?
In 1998, the New Zealand Branch of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) surveyed psychiatry of old age (POA) services in New Zealand for their resource levels. At that time, they were low by international and Mental Health Commission ‘Blueprint’ levels.

Administrators' perspectives of the challenges in recruiting and retaining psychiatrists for New Zealand: a national study
Administrators’ perceptions of significant factors that might affect the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists for New Zealand’s public mental health Services have not been previously investigated.

NgOIT 2005 Landscape Survey
The NgOIT Landscape Survey is a significant project within New Zealand mental health and addiction services Non Government Organisation (NGO) sector as it represents a national collection of data provided by the sector about the current position of many of the NGO’s that deliver services.

NgOIT Workforce Survey
The NgOIT 2007 workforce survey report provides information and analysis from the perspective of Non Government Organisations (NGOs) who provide Mental Health and Addiction services. This project creates a workforce snapshot of the industry. The 1833 individual respondents are people employed within 212 organisations and reflect the diversity of the NGO sector across New Zealand.

The historical context of the blueprint for mental health services
The Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand has had a major impact on the provision of mental health services in this country.

Professional supervision training: a pilot evaluation in Northland district health board
The purpose of this pilot was to evaluate satisfaction with the professional supervision training workshop content and process; the impact of this training on the practice of professional supervision; the benefit of professional supervision to supervisors, supervisees, service users and the organisation; and the strengths, barriers and limitations of the implementation process.

Service user involvement in undergraduate mental health nursing in New Zealand
This paper describes a service user role in the mental health component of an undergraduate nursing programme in New Zealand. The paper provides a background to mental health nursing education in New Zealand and discusses the implications of recent reforms in the mental health sector.

SoFIE-Health
Using information from the Statistics New Zealand led Survey of Family, Income and Employment (SoFIE) examine the co-relationships between the socio-economic determinants of health and the effects of changing determinants and changing health.

Mental health brief intervention: does it work? an evaluation of practice
An evaluation of the South Canterbury Mental Health Brief Intervention Service. This service assists 28 General Practices in the management of mild to moderate mental health needs by providing up to four free sessions with a mental health clinician.

The Real Key We Way Story
This report describes a peer run service that plays a key role in supporting people who experience acute mental health problems in the Capital and Coast District Health Board region.

Characteristics of good peer support
Wellink Trust commissioned a small evaluation study to obtain feedback from service users and peer workers to better understand how the peer support service model works in the Key We Way context.

Sustaining peer support relationships in the Aotearoa New Zealand health system
Investigating the 'fit' between peer support organisations and the DHBs which fund them. How peer supporters build relationships of mutuality while working within the constraints of the health system. Addresses such issues as contracts, audit, risk, boundaries, assessment, health information, working practices, and what peer supporters consider to be good peer relationships.

Two years on: Gambling amongst Pacific mothers living in New Zealand
Research investigating the prevalence and correlates of Pacific peoples gambling within a New Zealand context is limited.

Development of a child, adolescent and family mental health service for Pacific young people in Aotearoa/New Zealand
This paper describes the development of a dedicated Pacific child, adolescent and family mental health service based in Porirua, Aotearoa/New Zealand(NZ).

A Samoan perspective on infant mental health
This paper describes background to the development of the relatively new field of infant mental health and why this may be important for Pacific communities in Aotearoa/New Zealand(NZ) and elsewhere.

Te Vaka Atafaga: a Tokelau Assessment Model for Supporting Holistic Mental Health Practice with Tokelau People in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Despite the emergence of dedicated Pacific mental health services in Aotearoa, New Zealand in the last 10 years, there have been few published Pacific models of mental health assessment to guide clinicians working with Pacific clients and their families.

Development of a Mental Health and Addiction Pacific Cultural Practice Framework for the Auckland Region: Promoting expertise that is "visible, valued and understood."
The overall goal of the project was to develop a Pacific Cultural Worker Practice Framework for the Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Sector in the Auckland metropolitan region.

Twelve-Month Prevalences Of Mental Disorders And Treatment Contact Among Cook Islanders Resident In New Zealand
Objective: To show the 12 month prevalences of mental disorders, 12-month treatment contact and use of mental health services among Cook Islanders resident in New Zealand.

The social, cultural and medicinal use of Kava for twelve Tongan born men living in Auckland, New Zealand
The aim of this paper is to discuss and examine the social, cultural and medicinal kava use amongst twelve Tongan born men living in Auckland, New Zealand.

Tau Fifine Fiafia: The Binge Drinking Behaviours of Nine New Zealand Born Niuean women living in Auckland
The aim of this paper is to explore the binge drinking behaviours and attitudes of nine New Zealand born Niuean women aged 18 to 45 plus years living in Auckland who are heavy binge drinkers.

Exploring the "cultural" in cultural competencies in Pacific mental health
Cultural competency is about the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to the cultural needs of peoples of all cultures. This paper provides an overview of five key theme areas arising from Auckland-based ethnic-specific Pacific workshop data: language, family, tapu relationships, skills and organisation policy.

Twelve-month prevalence, severity, and treatment contact of mental disorders in New Zealand born and migrant Pacific participants in Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey
To investigate differences in 12-month prevalences of mental disorders and 12-month treatment contact among New Zealand born and migrants in separate ethnic groups in Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey (NZMHS).

Exploration of Pacific perspectives of Pacific models of mental health service delivery in New Zealand
The aim of this study was to provide indepth qualitative data that explored Pacific perceptions and experience of the theory, practice, and utilisation of Pacific mental health services in New Zealand.

Child discipline and nurturing practices among a cohort of Pacific mothers living in New Zealand
The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) study aimed to determine: (1) the prevalence of disciplinary and nurturing parenting practices used with children at 12 months of age, and (2) the demographic, maternal and lifestyle factors associated with parenting practices.

'From Kava to Lager' - alcohol consumption and drinking patterns for older adults of Pacific ethnic groups, and Europeans in the Diabetes Heart and Health Study (DHAHS) 2002-2003, Auckland New Zealand
This paper describes and compares alcohol consumption and drinking patterns for Pacific ethnic groups (Samoan, Tongan, Niue, Cook Islands) and European New Zealanders by gender participating in the 2002-03 Diabetes Heart and Health Study (DHAHS).

Evaluation of the Activity Based Experience (ABE) Programmme at Richmond New Zealand
The ABE Programme is a physical activity initiative delivered by non government organisation, Richmond New Zealand, with the primary aim of encouraging people living with mental illness to engage in healthier lifestyles.

The complexity of absenteeism and turnover intention
Absenteeism: a complex phenomena. How job involvement, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and support, work familiy conflict, group cohesion and regional identifiation affect absenteeism and turnover intentions.

Community rehabilitation outcomes across cultures following traumatic brain injury
This exploratory study investigates Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rehabilitation outcomes among culturally diverse outpatients in community-based rehabilitation who have sustained a Mild to Moderate TBI.

Mental health well-being amongst fathers within the Pacific Island Families Study
This article investigates the prevalence of potential psychological disorder amongst a cohort of primarily Pacific fathers in New Zealand over their child’s first 6-years of life.

The interface between cultural understandings: negotiating new spaces for Pacific mental health
This theoretical paper introduces the concept of the “negotiated space”, a model developed by Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Maui Hudson and colleagues describing the interface between different worldviews and knowledge systems.

The way things are done around here: Perceptions of Clinical Leadership in Mental Health Nursing
This research project explored nurses’ perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. The sample population were nurses in their second and third year of mental health nursing practice. Clinical leadership is a critical factor in promoting quality health outcomes (CLANZ, 2002) and it is clearly linked to retention of nurses and consumer outcomes.

Developing high performing employment services for people with mental illness
This analysis examined employment outcomes achieved by a supported employment service in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Evaluation of the Stand Up! Programme
Stand Up! was established in July 2006 by a values-based partnership between Counties Manukau DHB, Odyssey House and 6 low decile schools in South Auckland. The Programme aims to improve the resilience, health and social well-being of young people whose lives are adversely influenced by alcohol and/or other drug use.

Mood and depression in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome
A survey of mood and depression scores in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome using validated questionnaire and comparison with Youth 2007 data.

Can recovery-focused multimodal psychotherapy facilitate symptom and function improvement in people with treatment-resistant psychotic illness? A comparison study
To assess whether recovery-focused multimodal psychotherapy can facilitate symptom and function improvement in people with treatment-resistant psychotic illness.

What is the meaning of supervision for Mental Health Support Workers? A critical hermeneutic inquiry.
Four people who work as Mental Health Support Workers (MHSW) were interviewed about their experiences of receiving supervision. Results showed that a supervisory relationship based on reciprocity, trust and mutual respect was highly valued and enhanced supervisee's ability to support tangata whaiora. Factors that contribute to a supervisory relationship being experienced in this way, were identified.

"The Re-covery Model" - an integrative developmental stress-vulnerability-strengths approach to mental health
The "Re-covery Model" is an innovative approach to facilitating recovery in people with enduring symptoms of psychosis and other extreme states. It provides a shared understanding of the "human condition" in the bio-socio-psycho-cultural and spiritual development context in which resilience and vulnerabilities shape the person.

New Zealand Mental Health Research Gaps Analysis
The project examined the current state of mental health research in New Zealand to identify areas which could be strengthened in future research. Research undertaken between 2004 and 2009 was systematically reviewed and compared against research priorities and burden of disease data.

Personal and professional choices, tensions and boundaries in the lives of lesbian psychiatric mental health nurses
This thesis uses licensed narrative to explore the complexities of nurses’ self disclosure. The findings revealed that nurses’ personal experiences in becoming and being lesbian were closely linked to their professional identity as a nurse. This research advances knowledge and understanding of whether disclosure of sexual identity to clients is appropriate and will assist other health professionals in their practice.

Balancing Recognition and Disrespect: Recovery as the Process of Identity Formation
This study explored how the recovery of victims of sexual abuse is shaped by services available.

Youth e-therapy: evaluation of a computerised cognitive behavioural self-help programme for adolescents with mild to moderate depression
The computer-administered self-directed programme is based on Cogntive Beahvioural Therapy (CBT) and consists of 7 modules each taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. This study will compare the efficacy of computerized Cogntive Beahvioural Therapy (CCBT) with the usual therapy in adolescents with mild to moderate depression.

People never see us living well: an appraisal of the personal stories about mental illness in a prospective print media sample
Having found no discussions of self-depictions by psychiatric patients in the mass media we sought such items in a prospective national sample of print media and analysed how those speakers portrayed themselves.

'Breakfast and then death' Imputations of madness in print media depiction of a mass killing
This study analyses depictions of a mass killer published in New Zealand's largest circulation daily prior to official confirmation that the man was a mental health patient.

Provision at the Interface: the Maori Mental Health Contracting Experience
This research examines the experience of Māori mental health providers as they contract with the Crown to deliver mental health services. In doing so the research investigates performance monitoring systems and systems for accountability and highlights the complexity of delivering health and social services as conceptualised and implemented through a “western“ system to Māori communities.

Managing public health care policy: Who's being forgotten?
This research explored the lived experience and perceptions of a sample of respondents who provide full-time informal caregiving for those with Alzheimer’s disease in New Zealand.

How New Zealand Community Mental Health Support Workers Perceive their Role
The aim of the current paper is to determine the perceived role of the mental health support worker by those who are current employed in such roles.

Organisational views of the Mental Health Support Worker role and function
Following on from recent research in a further attempt to assist Support Workers forge an identity in mental health service in New Zealand, a thematic analysis of job descriptions was conducted across six services which provide mental health rehabilitation and recovery programmes.

Australian and New Zealand fieldwork: Charting the territory for future practice
This viewpoint article outlines the increasing demand for occupational therapy fieldwork placements and the need to adopt diverse models for fieldwork. Using diverse models has the potential to increase the number of fieldwork placements, thus exposing students to and preparing them for new and alternative roles for occupational therapy.

Family perspective on community treatment orders: A New Zealand study
People with serious mental disorders typically live with family members. Despite increasing interest in compulsory community treatment for such patients, the experience and views of their family members have been little studied.

Insight and use of community treatment orders
Judgments about insight and compulsory treatment are routine, though contenious, aspects of psychiatric practice. But how should judgments about patients' insight inform involuntary treatment decisions?

How patients in New Zealand view community treatment orders
New Zealand operates a well-embedded community treatment order scheme for patients with serious mental disorders. A similar scheme may be enacted for England and Wales.

Psychiatriform disorders: Psychiatric analogues of somatoform disorders
Somatoform disorders can be understood to mimic supposedly more ‘legitimate’ physical disorders. To the extent that mental disorders are now also often considered legitimate, might clinicians expect to encounter the psychiatric equivalent of somatoform disorders, ‘psychiatriform disorders’?

How mental health clinicians view community treatment orders: A national New Zealand survey
To determine New Zealand mental health clinicians’ views about community treatment orders, indications for their use, their benefits, problems and impact on patients and therapeutic relationships.

Employment status of mental health consumers: A pilot study
This paper describes a pilot survey about the employment status of mental health consumers seen by the Hamilton-Huntly team in the Waikato region.

Defensive practice in mental health
This study aimed to assess the extent of defensive clinical practice by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses in a New Zealand Mental Health Service.

Delusions: The continuum versus category debate
Critical review of the recently developed idea that delusions are best considered as part of a continuum along with more ordinary human beliefs.

Dilemmas for clinicians in use of community treatment orders
Clinicians who treat patients using Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) face many potential dilemmas in their relations with involuntary outpatients and the exercise of their powers. We compare the dilemmas identified in the literature with those reported by responsible clinicians in New Zealand (NZ).

A randomized control trial investigating the impact of micronutrients on behaviour and mood in adults with ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioural developmental disorder that affects 3-5% of the population. Pilot data, using a micronutrient formula (vitamins and minerals) in an 8-week open-label design, found that ADHD adults showed improved ADHD symptoms, emotional lability, and neurocognitive functioning.

Childhood behavior problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood: A birth cohort study
This study showed that high levels of antisocial behaviour between 5 and 11 years were associated with an increased odds of sexual risk taking in young adulthood whereas high levels of anxiety reduced the risk. Involvement with delinquent peers and a poor relationship with parents explained some of this association.

Alliance: developing and working within the alliance
A growing body of research shows that the therapeutic alliance is the most powerful contributor a therapist can make to successful outcome. Working within the client’s ‘frame of reference’ or ‘language game’ can generate greater attunement. This project aims to develop tools and summarize ‘ways of being’ (‘forms of life’) that facilitates such attunement.

Can Happiness be Taught?
This study investigates whether happiness can be taught through an intervention programme aimed at increasing levels of subjective wellbeing as measured by scales of self-reported happiness and depression.

Getting off the Hedonic Treadmill
The objective of the research project is to investigate whether the increase in subjective wellbeing (SWB) that may occur after a positive life change is made, can be sustained over time through the habitual practice of an intervention.

An innovation in primary mental health care: the mid valley well-being service
This article is a reflection of 'lessons learned' in establishing a new PHO initiative in the community mental health services which is seen as accurately attuning and responding to the needs of the local resident population.

Searching and Analyzing Social Networking Site in Web 2.0
We explore the techniques used by other researchers in identifying emotional content in unstructured data, and make use of existing technologies to attempt to identify at-risk bloggers. We test the accuracy of a simple algorithm for scoring the presence of certain key words and phrases in blog entries.

Design and evaluation of a computer-based therapy programme for same/both-sex attracted youth with depression
Despite increased rates of depression amongst same-sex and both-sex attracted youth few receive the treatment that they require. The difficulties they face may be compounded by their small numbers, isolation and the double stigma of having a mental health issue and being same/both-sex-attracted.

Supervision as a liminal space: towards a dialogic relationship
This article explores the underlying power dynamics and themes in the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee and the challenges these pose for establishing clinical supervision as a dialogic relationship based in Gestalt therapy principles.

Counselling distance learners: An experiment at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
In August 1993, The Open Polytechnic decided to establish a counselling service for it's 30,000 enrolled students. A total of 368 students and 94 staff were assisted over 656 consultations. Distance learners in social work, as in other disciplines, require different kinds of contact at different times in their academic career.

Sexual abuse counsellors' response to stress and trauma: a social work perspective
Based on qualitative interviews with 36 ACC-approved counsellors and their significant others, this research explores the range of social, organisational and theoretical factors that impact on sexual abuse counsellors.

"Back from the edge of the world": Re-authoring a story of practice with stress and trauma using gestalt theories and narrative approaches
The aim of this article is to offer an ongoing reflection of the difficulties of working with trauma survivors within mental health agencies which provide brief models of intervention.

The concept of hope in gestalt therapy: its usefulness for ameliorating vicarious traumatisation
Hope is intrinsic to the work of psychotherapy yet it remains implicit in much of what we do as psychotherapists. The concept of hope is discussed in this article in relation to the vicarious traumatisation literature.

ADAPT: A trial of a mobile phone-based depression prevention programme for adolescents
The ADAPT study will test a multimedia mobile phone-based depression prevention programme, based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The programme (called MEMO) will target factors known to be important in the development of depressive disorder. Depression scores in students receiving this programme will be compared with a control group, at baseline and up to 12 months follow-up.

Searching for self: The layers and labels of panic disorder: A New Zealand study
Panic disorder has adverse effects on the client’s quality of life and psychological wellbeing. Ten participants were interviewed; data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings provide a psychosocial perspective of panic disorder that will assist nurses working with these clients. Recommendations for nurse specialist input and bio-psycho-social assessments are discussed.

Whakaora nga moemoea o nga tupuna-Living the dreams of the ancestors. Future planning in a kaupapa Maori CAMHS
This study describes use of tikanga, in particular, whakatauaki in the future planning of a Kaupapa Maori team, He Kakano in South Auckland.

An evaluation of the wider use of an intensive group parenting programme (Hoki ki te Rito/Mellow Parenting) for parents experiencing significant parenting problems
This study follows on from a pilot evaluation of NZ adaption of an establish parenting programme (HKTR/Mellow Parenting) delivered to a group of Maori and Pacific parents/whanau residing in the Counties Manukau DHB. In this study we are evaluating the programme further as it is rolled out to 6 groups (12 participants each) through two organisations.

The beliefs of mental health nurses about smoking by inpatients
An e mail survey of mental health nurses beliefs about smoking by inpatients. Does length of service, smoke-free status and workplace influence beliefs?

Resituating the meaning of occupation in the context of living
This study explores the meaning of occupation, defined as a “conceptual entity… [which] includes all the things that people do in their everyday life” (Sundkvist & Zingmark, 2003, p. 40).This study provides an understanding of the meaning of occupation interpreted from the perspective of 12 New Zealand adults who experienced a disruption to their occupations.

Family members' experience of first episode psychosis
This project will seek to examine the experience of family members who have a 'significant other' currently with Totara Houe Early Intervention for Psychosis Service. The investigators want to know what families see as essential components of service and assistance that should be made available to all family members, by the Mental Health Service.

The effectiveness of Peer Support in first episode psychosis
This project will will assess the effectiveness of an intentional peer support group for clients with first episode psychosis

The experience of traumatic birth and PTSD after childbirth perspectives of ethnic women
This project will use qualitative interviews to investigate ethnic women's experiences of traumatic birth and PTSD following childbirth. It will develop recommendations for improvements to health services and policy.

Perinatal depression screening/assessment instruments and migrant women
This project will investigate the percieved effectiveness of current perinatal depression screening/assessment instruments for migrant women and service provider practices around screening.

Barriers to help-seeking behaviour for problem gamblers and their family/whanau
This project will collect information on access to and appropriateness of NZ gambling services for males and females from a range of ethnic groups. In New Zealand it appears that many problem gamblers appear to seek assistance from non-gambling services and self-help materials.

Like Minds, Like Mine Research: Family and Whanau Discrimination
Our current 2008-2010 Like Minds, Like Mine research focuses on families and mental illness. In particular, we will be exploring family attitudes towards people with experience of mental illness.

A New Zealand Mental Health Metabolic Working Group Initiative
Guide to assist monitoring of metabolic consequences in Mental Health Service Users on Antipsychotic Therapy, produced by the NZ Mental Health Metabolic Working Group. The report includes monitoring recommendations and ranked evidence guide.

In Her Shoes. The Experience of Mothers Living with Mental Illness.
This research explored the experiences of eight New Zealand mothers living with mental illness and compared them to international studies where mothers’ views were sought. Suggestions for service improvement were sought. These centred on a desire for services which met the needs of the whole family, education for health and social services professionals to combat stigma and discrimination and increased flexible support services. The lack of adequate national data on parents living with mental illness was apparent.

Perspectives on access to personal health information in NZ
Procedural and technical practices regarding access to personal health information vary within and especially between countries. Such information includes everything that can be linked to specific individuals; access may be sensitive and is usually controlled by a health service provider or other authority.

The Kotuku Experience
This project is an evaluation of Kotuku, a peaceful consumer retreat and crisis intervention residential facility situated in Upper Moutere, west of Nelson. The service is underpinned by concepts of peer-support, recovery and community development. Kotuku guests completed questionnaires, in-depth interviews and attended a focus group to determine their opinions of the Kotuku service, particularly of how to improve the service

Fighting Shadows: Self-stigma and mental illness, Whawhai atu te whakamaa hihira
Self-stigma (often called internalised stigma) is an issue that most people with experience of mental illness would recognise, either seeing it in them-selves or in other people. It is generally believed that self-stigma arises from internalising the negative messages and behaviour that people with experience of mental illness receive from other people. The concept of self-stigma is fundamentally linked to the concept of discrimination. This research explores the concept of self-stigma and mental illness, and offers strategies to combat it.

A right to a risk filled life?
This qualitative piece of research undertook to document the perspective and discourse of risk for people who identified as someone with lived experiences of mental illness and mental health service use.

Evaluation of Counties Manukau alcohol and other drug intervention
Increasing attention is being paid to integrating mental health services and addiction services. The purpose is to better coordinate treatment and support for service users with a dual diagnosis of a mental illness and alcohol abuse. The study evaluates the impact of a new service initiative involving (a) training of mental health community mental health centre (CMHC) staff in the area of alcohol and drug treatment interventions using a ‘whole of team’ approach, and (b) the employment of a specialised alcohol and drug treatment professional located at the CMHC

The Role of Dynamic Family Factors in the Development and Management of Suicidal Risk in Young People
The research will enhance understanding of the role of dynamic family factors in the development and management of suicidal risk for the New Zealand context. The project will examine characteristics, dynamics and strategies that distinguish those families who cope well with the threat of loss by suicide and demonstrate high resilience, from those that struggle. Specifically, it will identify family interaction patterns or practices which compound/mitigate risk, family strategies which enhance psychological and social resilience and coping, and which contribute to better outcomes. The research will focus on youth up to the age of 24 years

Keeping Safe: Exploration of Service User Vulnerability and Resilience to Violence and Victimisation
Research has found association between adverse events (e.g. victimisation, violence, homelessness, self harm) and factors such as housing, support, and treatment compliance for service users. To identify important patterns of adverse events in New Zealand, groups of mental health staff (including community support workers) were invited to share their expertise regarding people with serious mental illness in the community, around: frequency and types of adverse events; antecedent factors and how these interact with background, clinical profile, quality of life or current circumstance. (This is a joint project between University of Auckland Centre for Mental Health Research, Counties Manukau District Health Board Mental Health Services and Waitemata District Health Board)

The "Matalafi Matrix" Project: Phase One and Two
The ‘Matalafi Matrix’ Project: Phase One investigated the utilisation of the ‘Matalafi matrix’ tool (a Pacific cultural formulation tool) in two Pacific-specific services within the WDHB. Please see the web-site for a copy of the Phase One report. Phase Two of this project involves an examination of how the Matalafi Matrix domains sit alongside the DSM-IV cultural statements. Phase two was completed in June 2008 and findings are still under investigation.

Content Analysis of New Zealand Media Reporting Suicide
A content analysis of twelve months of reporting of suicides by the New Zealand media. The content analysis will support the implementation of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008-2012 and the development of a New Zealand evidence base in this area.

Comparison of First Episode in Psychosis Programmes across three international sites - New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom
The study compares three early intervention services (EIS -mental health services for people with a first episode of psychosis aged 16-30). The three EIS programmes are in Counties Manukau District Health Board, Manukau City/Auckland New Zealand; Toronto, Canada and Birmingham, the United Kingdom. Fidelity to the early intervention service model will be compared programme adheres to the early intervention model in each of these sites. The study will also compare client characteristics and service utilisation.

Pilot study of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) group skills training for men with anger problems
Violent behaviour, particularly family violence, affects individuals, families and communities on many levels. There are a number of initiatives focussing on targeting different aspects of this problem. However currently, there is a dearth of trials based in New Zealand looking at immediate and long-term outcomes of violence prevention programmes. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a treatment with a strong track record in reducing violence to oneself in individuals with significant emotional instability. It is a treatment that also shows promise in reducing violent behaviour. However the majority of the trials of this treatment have been conducted in North America, with female participants. A major component of this treatment is skills training, typically conducted in a group format. This project seeks to assess the acceptability of DBT skills training to men in New Zealand. This is a prelude to conducting a larger-scale randomised controlled trial comparing outcomes for DBT skills training with those for community treatment programmes currently available for men who have been convicted with offences related to family violence

Pilot study of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for suicidal adolescents
Self-harm and suicidal behaviour remain significant problems for adolescents in New Zealand (NZHIS, 2007). Despite these problems, there is little evidence available regarding effective treatments for suicidal and self-harm behaviours in adolescents generally, and in New Zealand adolescents in particular (Gould, Greenberg, Velting, & Shaffer, 2003, Hawton et al., 2007). Field studies of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) impact on suicidal behaviour in emotionally disturbed adolescents indicate that it has promise in reducing suicide attempts and self-harm for this population (Rathus & Miller, 2002, Miller et al., 2002, Miller & Glinski, 2000, Miller, 1999, Katz, Cox, Gunasekara, & Miller, 2004, Trupin, Stewart, Beach, & Boesky, 2002). However, although there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that DBT is effective for suicidal adolescents, there are currently no results from randomized controlled trials of this treatment with youth (Gould et al., 2003). Accordingly a careful appraisal of this treatment’s application to New Zealand adolescents engaging in suicidal behaviour is timely and valuable. However, important methodological issues require clarification first. The treatment was developed in North America, and very little is known about its acceptability to adolescents and families from New Zealand cultures. Furthermore, it is not clear whether random assignment to treatment will be acceptable to young people and their families. A feasibility study is required to address these issues. This feasibility study will offer preliminary data on the effectiveness of DBT with suicidal adolescents in New Zealand, and answer questions about the methodology of a larger multi-site randomised controlled trial.

Reducing DNAs to CAMHS appointments via a text message reminder
Clients who do not attend appointments cost the health service a significant amount per year; in the United Kingdom it was estimated that missed general practitioner appointments costs the NHS £575 million per year (Health Reporter 2005). In addition, clients who do not attend their appointments do not receive the full benefit of being involved in the service unit (Downer, Meara et al. 2005; Franklin, Waller et al. 2006). A number of studies have examined the use of a reminder system using telephone call reminders. Information from Kari Centre files indicates that over 2007, the DNA proportions for the service were 23% for initial appointments, and 36% for follow-up appointments. With 90.6% of New Zealanders aged 15-24 having personal access to a mobile phone (Stats, 2006), this is potentially a low-cost, efficient, and inclusive means of reminding families of appointments.

Pilot study of exercise programme for youth with first-episode psychosis on antipsychotic medication.
Clients of the Kari Centre - Youth Early Intervention Service (and young people from the corresponding adult First Episode Psychosis teams in the ADHB adult services) will be invited to participate in a supervised exercise and education programme designed to control their weight and reduce the risk of antipsychotic-related weight gain and associated health problems (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, etc). The programme will be 3 months long, and be provided by health professionals within the Kari Centre. At pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3 and 6 months following programme completion, participants will complete questionnaires measuring functioning, quality of life, activity level, mood, and psychotic symptoms. At these time-points they will also provide blood samples (to analyse blood sugars and blood lipids/fats). The majority of these are routine aspects of clinical treatment for young people receiving antipsychotic medication, as per the NZ guidelines for monitoring risk factors associated with taking antipsychotics. Measurements of their height, weight and waist will be taken every month for the duration of their participation in the study.

Aroha Mai: Nurses, nursing and mental illness
This project explored the stories of nurses who have experienced mental illness while in clinical practice. The nurses described the impacts of having an illness prior to becoming a nurse, developing a concurrent illness, and having an illness that has developed from being a nurse and/or doing nursing work.

Factors that support abstinence or responsible alcohol consumption amongst Pacific youth: A qualitative investigation (PARDY - Pacific Abstinence & Responsible Drinking study)
With the increasing number of Pacific Island young people consuming at greater quantities of alcohol per annum, per occasion compared to the general population, this study seeks to investigate why some young Pacific Islanders choose not to drink

Process mapping Pacific families within PMHAS
Process mapping is employed to collect information on the perceptions and experiences of Pacific families working with PMHAS (Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Services) in the delivery of appropriate care for their Pacific consumer member. The process mapping exercise entails charting key milestones or steps negotiated with PMHAS for the participation of families in the care of their consumer.

First Episode Research New Zealand (FERNZ) National Dataset
National dataset to examine outcomes of Early Intervention for Psychosis Services, with emphasise on the metabolic syndrome and quality of life.

Outcomes from an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Long-term evaluation of a representative New Zealand first episode psychosis cohort.

2008 Asian Mental Health and Addictions Workforce Survey
The 2008 Auckland regional Asian workforce stocktake aims at taking a snap-shot of the number and location of Asian staff working in DHBs and NGOs in the Auckland region and to find out their needs for cultural training and support.

Kato Fetu:Setting a Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Research Agenda
The research agenda outlines key focus areas for Pacific mental health and addiction research to address. By faciltiating knowledge in these focus areas, research can be used to improve the service reponsiveness and improve mental wellbeing outcomes for Pacific people in New Zealand.

The Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS)
The Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) is a longitudinal study undertaken by a research team from The University of Otago, Christchurch. It has followed a group of 1,265 children born in the Christchurch urban region during mid 1977. This cohort has now been studied from infancy into childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The Study has published over 300 scientific papers, books and book chapters describing the 30 year life history of the CHDS cohort.

Mental Health and Addiction Research Agenda for Asian Communities in New Zealand 2008-2012
Research Agenda outlining 2008-2012 mental health and addiction research prioriites for New Zealand's Asian communities. Te Tahuhu – Improving Mental Health 2005-2015 and Te Kokiri: The Mental Health and Addiction Action Plan 2006-2015 identified the need to develop a research agenda for mental health and addiction in Asian communities.

Triple R Project. Culturally Responsive services to work with Refugee youths Recovering from mental health problems.
The Triple R Project focuses on developing responsive services for refugee youth who experience mental illness. Information on the challenges faced by refugee youth will be collected through survey questionnaires of refugee youth service users and in-depth interviews with refugee youth and health providers. The results of this research will be used to develop a culturally-appropriate service model for working with refugee youth.

Auckland Primary Health Interpreting Pilots Evaluation
This evaluation will assess the impact of an interpreting service which operates in primary healthcare in the Auckland region. It will measure the impact of interpreters on service access and clinical practice measures.

An Exploratory Study of Demoralisation and Migration Experience
This paper explores the psychosocial experience of migration for a sample of refugees and migrants residing in Australia and New Zealand. The analysis of responses to self-rating scales allowed for a comparison of the overall mental health status of the participants to be undertaken.

Admissions to Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Services in Auckland, New Zealand: A Demographic and Diagnostic Review.
This study examined all consecutive admissions to three adult psychiatric units for the year 2000. The paper reports on the demographic and diagnostic data for this admission cohort. A significant finding was the different admission rates between ethnic groups compared to those expected from the catchment population; Maori admissions were higher and Asian lower than expected. Higher proportions of Maori admissions replicate other findings however explanations for this are unclear. Please note the summaries of the article have been prepared by Te Pou as a guide only and are not intended to be a definitive summary of the content.

Demoralisation - a Useful Conceptualisation of Non-specific Psychological Distress Among Refugees Attending Mental Health Services.
While it is recognised that many refugee and migrant clients present at mental health services with non-specific psychological distress little is known about successful intervention strategies.

Pathways to Care in a New Zealand First-episode of Psychosis Cohort.
The study examined the sociodemographic characteristics and pathways to care of a cohort of 200 patients admitted to an early psychosis service. The results highlighted a high proportion of non-schizophrenia spectrum disorders presenting acutely for treatment. This suggests that service reconfigurations are required to optimize the experience of inpatient admission.

The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study is a longitudinal study established in 1972 and undertaken by a research team from the University of Otago. It has followed a group of 1037 children born in Dunedin between 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1973. There have been almost 1000 publications, including papers, book chapters, monographs and other reports since the inception of the study. See website for details of publications.

Media portrayals of mental illness, or is it madness? A review
Representations of persons with experience of a mental illness in the mass media are problematic for individuals seeking recovery and for services charged with providing quality care in the community.

What is the role of intertextuality in media depictions of mental illness? Implications for forensic psychiatry
This article offers a practical account of intertextuality and its impacts on media portrayals of violent crimes by persons living with a mental illness.