Platform Trust

Dr Janice Wilson

I recently had the privilege of attending the 20th anniversary celebration of Wellink Trust in Wellington.  This gave cause for some reflection about NGOs and the very significant role they have played and still do play within the mental health and addiction sector.

There is no doubt in my mind that the changes we have seen in the past 20 years in mental health (and addiction) services would not have occurred without the active advocacy and the extensive growth in service delivery seen amongst the non government agencies. 

Why is this? Traditionally NGOs (or not for profit organisations) grow out of communities of specific interest– they are the voice of that community and have the values and aspirations of that community embedded in their vision and working culture.

In mental health and addiction, such voices have been those who have had experience of mental ill-health and of traditional service use, or those families affected by this and involved in caring and larger communities who understand the importance of human rights, fairness and justice within the social contexts of society.

NGOs have provided a framework or structure that has supported and encouraged the empowerment of those who have been unwell and used services to take charge of their own lives and become visible and included into ordinary neighbourhoods and communities. 

Those that have done this well also understand the importance of strong partnerships with traditional health services – those provided by DHBs and also primary health care.

This paradigm shift could not have occurred without strong active NGOs. 

Around the world the economic recession is a catalyst for governments to focus on the role of the state, and how state services can be more connected with communities and the private sector to achieve improved outcomes, and of course better value for their investments. 

This thinking will underpin changes ahead, I believe, within the social sector, including health.  Where do NGOs fit in?  I believe that there are, can be and will be opportunities for NGOs to develop even stronger partnerships with traditional government services to deliver services in different and perhaps more innovative ways, which also align with communities’ expectations. 

This may not be evident as you read this, but all the signs are there, not just in NZ, of governments wanting communities to be more active and take more control of services that affect them.

This could be a time of great opportunity, but governments are interested in organisations that are aligned and working well together, not isolated, dispirited or fragmented. There is a challenge for you all to demonstrate alignment and connectedness.  There are approximately 350 NGOs in the mental health and addiction sector.  This may just be too many for NZ!

Dr Janice Wilson, Deputy Director-General Population Health Directorate, Ministry of Health