Content warning: this episode contains extensive discussions of mental health, including brief mentions of suicide and abuse.

It goes without saying that New Zealand’s approach to mental health has evolved significantly over the past few decades. It’s taken considerable effort from successive governments, non-government organisations and private enterprises alike to get us to where we are now, but have we yet moved far enough? In the fifth episode of Conversations That Count – Ngā Kōrero Whai Take, we take a deep dive into mental health in this country, looking at where the system’s succeeding, where it’s failing, and what we could collectively gain from refocusing our efforts.

On this episode, produced by The Spinoff in partnership with Massey University, our host Stacey Morrison is joined from Palmerston North by Massey University’s Dr Kirsty Ross, and in our Morningside studio by writer and award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader.

If you’re in need of help, a list of accessible mental health resources available in Aotearoa can be found here.Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor (New Zealand only)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices