Mental distress-related discrimination impacts peoples’ ability to contribute and participate in society. To do something about mental distress-related discrimination, we need to know more about it – how common is it, who is experiencing it, and where does it occur?

This report highlights key findings related to mental distress-related discrimination using a pooled dataset comprising the 2015, 2016, and 2018 New Zealand Mental Health Monitors (NZMHM) and a separate analysis of the 2018 New Zealand Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS). 

Key findings

1. Almost one-third of people have a personal experience of mental distress (31%)
2. Rainbow people are almost twice as likely to have a personal experience of mental distress (57%)
3. Māori and young adults (aged 18-24 years) also experience higher rates of mental distress (38% and 36%, respectively)
4. Pasifika and Asian people report lower rates of mental distress (20% and 14%, respectively)