10 July 2018 – The New Zealand Government set up an inquiry into the mental health and addiction supports and services available in New Zealand. 
The purpose of the inquiry was to understand people’s positive and negative experience of accessing and using the mental health and addiction supports and services so that the Government can improve the system for all New Zealanders.
Altogether Autism developed an autism friendly mental health and addiction inquiry survey to better understand the experiences of autistic people, their family/whānau in accessing and using the mental health and addiction services in New Zealand.
Altogether Autism received 189 responses for our autism friendly mental health survey and the attached report is based on the survey responses. We used a mix of quantitative and qualitative measures and no question was compulsory, to give respondents maximum flexibility in their responses. We have noted the number of people who responded in each section.
National manager Catherine Trezona said by mental health and addiction supports and services, Altogether Autism meant people’s experience in accessing and using services.
These included:
- inpatient mental health
- outpatient mental health
- community mental health and addiction
- forensic mental health
- consultations with psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, helplines such as Lifeline, Healthline, Samaritans, Youthline, Alcohol and drug helpline etc.
Read the Altogether Autism submission to the Government.