Your weekly update from the MHF Information Service
17 July 2019 | Hōngongoi 2019
Flowers, home-cooked meals and time were among the items donated in the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks. A new University of Otago study found these simple acts of kindness not only benefited victims, but strengthened the wellbeing and resilience of those giving them. Learning the skills to help develop a 'culture of kindness' is a strong feature of the Sparklers programme. The programme is built on evidence that giving and connecting can nurture our wellbeing, and when times are tough, drawing on our strengths can help.
Sparklers is an online toolkit developed to help support and promote the mental wellbeing of school children and is available free to anyone nationwide. After the recent attacks in Christchurch, Sparklers have highlighted activities that explore kindness, friendship and strengths. It also includes activities to help children develop empathy and positive friendships.
The activities can also be adapted by whānau to build emotional literacy skills and enhance the wellbeing of our tamariki all year round.
Nāku iti nei,
Kim Higginson
Information Management Specialist
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Grey Matter
Compiled by the Ministry of Health Library, Grey Matter is a monthly newsletter providing access to a selection of recent NGO, Think Tank, and international government reports relating to health. Information is arranged by topic, allowing readers to quickly locate their key areas of interest. Topics vary each issue, depending upon articles and reports that have been published. Health determinants, equity, inclusion, public health, mental health and wellbeing are often discussed.
Email library@health.govt.nz if you would like to subscribe.
Resource review by Kim Higginson, Information Management Specialist, MHF
Better monitoring and support needed to accelerate reductions in youth drinking and binge drinking
An evaluation of progress on the World Health Organisation Action Plan on Youth Drinking points out that while important efforts have been made, better monitoring and support for implementing evidence-based policies are needed to accelerate progress.
Government restores fairness for family carers
Parents and partners of disabled people with high or very high support needs will be paid for caring for their family members. Pay rates for family carers will also increase from the current minimum wage to a fairer pay equity rate of between $20.50 and $25.50.
New guide for making a complaint about sexual harassment released
The guide provides information on how the Human Rights Commission's complaint process works, how an employer should deal with sexual harassment complaints, the mediation process and where to find support.
Positive culture reducing barriers to seeking help in law
A survey of wellness by Meritas Australia and New Zealand has revealed the majority of employees at small and medium-sized law firms feel their mental health and wellbeing is important to their firm, and that they have an open door policy which enables them to seek help.
Pacific youth gambling begins at home
A new report funded by the Ministry of Health reveals that gambling among Pacific youth is a social activity that mostly takes place with family and friends.
Time to dismantle 'structural racism' in NZ, says Māori psychiatrist
Dr Elder, who qualified as a doctor in 1998, says there is a link between structural racism and mental health in young indigenous people that society must acknowledge and address.
Study of sexual orientation and mental health
Gay, lesbian and bisexual New Zealanders are on average more than twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as heterosexuals, new research shows.
New NZ research & resources
A parent's guide to Instagram: New Zealand edition 2019
(2019). Instagram and Netsafe.
Although young people are often digitally savvy, they're still developing, therefore they may still need parental guidance. This resource provides advice on appropriate online behaviours and how to navigate challenges.
'People haven't got that close connection': Meanings of loneliness and social isolation to culturally diverse older people
Morgan, T., Wiles, J., Moeke-Maxwell, T., Black, S., Park, H. J., Dewes, O., … Gott, M. (2019, July 1). Aging & Mental Health, 1-9. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1633619.
This paper is the first to comparatively outline complex and culturally nuanced understandings of loneliness and social isolation from the perspective of four ethnically diverse groups of older adults (Māori, Pacific, Asian, and NZ European).
Factors associated with the identification of child mental health problems in primary care - a systematic review
Koning, N. R., Büchner, F. L., Verbiest, M. E. A., Vermeiren, R. R. J. M., Numans, M. E., & Crone, M.R. (2019, June 27). European Journal of General Practice, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/13814788.2019.1623199.
Mental health problem identification varied substantially between studies and primary care practices and was related to several child, family and practice factors.
Mental health problems, history of drug use, and violent offending are associated with increased suicide risk in imprisoned females
Zhong, S., Zhu, X., Mellsop, G., Guo, H., Chen, Y., Luo, C., … Wang, X. (2001, June 6). Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 395. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00395.
This study found one fifth of imprisoned females are at risk for suicide, highlighting the importance of assessing mental health status for suicide prevention among female prisoners.
Pet ownership and its influence on mental health in older adults
Hui Gan, G.Z., Hill, A. M., Yeung, P., Keesing, S., & Netto, J. A. (2019, June 27). Aging & Mental Health, 1-8. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1633620.
Pet ownership may benefit community-dwelling older adults by providing companionship, giving a sense of purpose and meaning, reducing loneliness and increasing socialisation.
Ngā tikanga whanaketanga – He arotake tuhinga. A review of Aotearoa New Zealand youth development research
Deane, K., Dutton, H., & Kerekere, E. (2019). Wellington, NZ: Ara Taiohi.
A multidisciplinary synthesis of contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand research on youth development and wellbeing. It is one component of several strands of work that form a broader review of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa.
How to increase the Māori health workforce
(2019, July 2). Auckland: Te Rau Ora.
Informed by the recent evidence base about the Māori health workforce, Te Rau Ora have created three infographic resources to assist the health and disability sector in their recruitment and retention of a Māori workforce.
New international research & resources
Diagnosing and managing work-related mental health conditions in general practice: New Australian clinical practice guidelines
Mazza, D., Chakraborty, S. P., Brijnath, B., Nowak, H., Howell, C., Brott, T., … Tawia, S. (2019, June 24). Medical Journal of Australia, epub ahead of print. doi: 10.5694/mja2.50240.
This guideline is designed to enhance care and improve health outcomes by encouraging the use of appropriate tools to assist in diagnosis and determine the severity of mental health conditions.
Post-traumatic growth in mental health recovery: Qualitative study of narratives
Slade, M., Rennick-Egglestone, S., Blackie, L., Llewellyn-Beardsley, J., Franklin, D., Hui, A., … Thornicroft, G. (2019, June 28). BMJ Open, 9(6), e029342. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029342.
Trauma-related growth may be a preferable term for participants who identify as having experienced trauma. Trauma-informed mental healthcare could use the six identified categories as a basis for new approaches to supporting recovery.
Mental health stigma among people of color: An examination of the impact of racial discrimination
Krill Williston, S., Martinez, J. H., & Abdullah, T. (2019, June 24). International Journal of Social Psychiatry, epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1177/0020764019858651.
These findings state that racial discrimination contributes to increased anticipated stigma and negative beliefs about mental health problems. Addressing the impact of racial discrimination as it influences these dimensions of mental health stigma is important in promoting recovery among people of color.
The effectiveness of positive mental health programs in adults: A systematic review
Teixeira, S. M. A., Coelho, J. C. F., Sequeira, C. A. D. C., Lluchm, I., Canut, M. T., & Ferré-Grau, C. (2019, May 29). Health and Social Care Community, epub ahead of print.
The aim of this review was to identify, appraise and synthesize the best evidence for the effectiveness of programmes of positive mental health in adults.
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Disclaimer Information provided by the Information Service is not intended to replace qualified medical or professional advice. For diagnosis, treatment and medication, you should consult a health practitioner. We do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in published sources, and cannot guarantee the accuracy of these sources. Not all practices/treatments described in the literature will be available in New Zealand.
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