Non-government organisations (NGOs)
On this page:
- What is this work about?
- Why collect information?
- Outcome measures?
- Key documents
- National Outcomes Forum 2009
- Useful links
- For more information
What is this work about?
New Zealand is fortunate to have a rich and diverse NGO sector that provides health care on a daily basis for users of mental health and addiction services. It is estimated that there are currently 400 NGOs contracted to provide mental health and addiction services.
The purpose of this work is to support NGOs with information use and outcome development. Te Pou is doing this by helping NGOs consider what processes and infrastructure needs to be put in place now, to ensure that collecting and using mental health information becomes embedded and remains an enduring part of the way we all work. We propose to share our ideas, experiences and resources. We will grow the information on our website in response to your requests, suggestions and feedback.
Why collect information?
The non-government mental health sector is required to collect and use mental health data through a national information collection (PRIMHD).
It is expected that mental health workers and service users within NGOs will benefit from information use that supports recovery (Te Tāhuhu, 2005, p17).
The ultimate goal is that information will be used to ensure services are recovery driven, service user focused, responsive to Maori and support quality and innovation.
We know that in difficult economic times it is even more important that we describe the positive changes that the NGO sector is making in very tangible terms - we need to describe how our funding is applied and how it makes a tangible impact on peoples' lives.
Outcome measures?
While NGOs are not currently required to collect outcomes data, outcome measures are a good way of measuring change in the lifes of people who use mental health and addiction services. This change can be brought about by a combination of factors such as service delivery, effective engagement, whanau involvement and service user determination, to name but a few. Many NGOs are starting to use outcomes and you can read about some of the most useful measures here.
Key documents
Key national mental health strategies have driven New Zealand's vision to shift from information collection to information use. This shift will improve mental health services for tangata whaiora/service users and enable better understanding about the best use of resources.
- Classification and Outcomes Study (CAOS) 2002 (PDF)
- He Korowai Oranga - Maori Health Strategy (PDF - Te Reo Maori).
- Te Tāhuhu - Improving Mental Health 2005 - 2015: The second New Zealand mental health and addiction plan (2005) (PDF)
- Te Kokiri: The Mental Health and Addiction Action Plan 2006-2015 (2006) (PDF)
- National Mental Health Information Strategy 2005 - 2010 (2005) (PDF) and Implementation Plan (2006) (PDF)
- Let's get real
National Outcomes Forum 2009
The National Outcomes forum ‘Are we there yet? Destination information sharing', held on 19 February 2009, was a huge success. It followed on from He Kakano, Australasia's inaugural mental health and addiction outcomes conference in 2007. It demonstrated how NGOs are collecting and using information to support recovery, enhance service delivery and engagement.
Useful links
- National Outcomes Forum
- PRIMHD
- NGOiT
- Adelaide University rating scales
- MH-SMART
- Additional outcome measures
For more information
For more information, contact Richard Woodcock, Information lead - NGO
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Page last updated: 17 December 2009