Good evidence is crucial to good practice. Te Pou has a role in helping the mental health and addiction sector develop a stronger evidence base for its work.

Evidence comes from many sources: research, personal lived experience, clinical experience, data and information. However, not all evidence is equal – some evidence is stronger and more reliable. Te Pou wants to support the sector move from practices which are largely based on expert opinion and anecdotal information, to ones informed by more systematic and reliable information such as outcomes and research.

This will be a long-term project, backed by world class researchers. Professor David Fergusson has come on board in a consulting role to assist Te Pou with this work. In addition, we can tap into the expertise of Professor Richie Poulton, a long-standing member of the Te Pou board, and the clinical reference group.

Above all, we want to help the sector translate evidence into practice – and better evidence helps to achieve this. Over the next year we will be developing resources around evidence based practice to assist you to do this.

Mark Smith
Clinical lead, Te Pou