NGOs and Research

The mental health research agenda


New Zealand's Mental Health Research and Development Strategy (MHRDS) is administered by Te Pou and funded by the Ministry of Health its projects work to the following three key priorities

  1. Epidemiology - to inform future research activities
  2. Sector Development - where good quality information is disseminated
  3. Service User Outcomes - capturing information about service user recovery

Current projects
Evidence-Based Practice Framework -To create an environment where mental health service providers take up research and evaluation activities that use robust methodologies. Dedicated fixed-term staff will work with the sector to develop research process and models. The models will be trialled in three regions and, if successful, may be applied nationally.
Mental Health Epidemiology Study Follow Up -To develop further understanding of population trends and the impact of primary and secondary care based on the findings of the epidemiology study, Te Rau Hinengaro , The New Zealand Mental Health Survey, 2006.
ADOPT II - The Alcohol and Drug Outcome Project -Te Pou is in the process of following up the original ADOPT project, by validating a recommended measure for service users, which is suitable for use in alcohol and drug addiction service settings.
Mental Health Australasian Outcomes Conference -To coordinate and host a conference in New Zealand that will serve as a forum for national and international knowledge sharing on outcome measures. The conference - He Kakano was held 2-4 October 2007
Maori Five-Year Research and Development Plan -To ensure a robust plan that sets the direction for Maori mental health and addiction research. This project will incorporate epidemiology study findings with previous relevant research findings and provide a long term direction for Maori research.
Pacific Peoples Five-Year Research and Development Plan- To ensure a robust plan that sets the direction for Pacific Peoples mental health and addiction research. This project will incorporate epidemiology study findings with previous relevant research findings and provide a long term direction for Pacific peoples research.
Development of an Outcome Measure for Pacific Peoples- This project will develop a measure that is suitable for use in settings where Pacific people are receiving a mental health service.
Funding and Mechanisms for Recovery- To create a comprehensive purchasing framework that guides funders and providers. With the introduction of outcome measures and improved data collection mechanisms, there is an opportunity to develop and implement improved contracting and service frameworks. This project will identify a range of options. Te Pou will engage with planners, funders and service managers, identify work to pursue and investigate formula configuration options for the Ministry of Health to support a number of pilots.

And for Community Organisations?

Given the dependence in New Zealand on the community sector for a diverse range of health and social service provision it is hard to imagine why is so difficult to get community research and and sector development on the national publicly funded health research agenda.

Increasingly we are seeing planning, funding and development decisions made on evidence, evaluation and research. This is an important step but it does mean that the research agenda needs to be inclusive. Many NGOs have either conducted their own research or have information that could be analysed by others to build on the collective wisdom that could shape the development of the sector. Community organisations have the enthusiasm and knowledge but many do not have the time, rigour or capacity to conduct research. Developing partnerships and relationships with those who can do research is important. However the decisions about what are the areas of enquiry and investigation that will add value to the development of a recovery orientated community sector need to be lead by the sector. This is critical if we are to build on existing knowledge and move forward.

Some Questions for NGOs

  • Have you or any of your staff undertaken research?
  • Have you shared this wider than just your organisation?
  • Are you willing to share information that you collect to assist others?
  • What are the important issues for community research?

The Community Sector Research Clearing House

It was these type of questions that was the impetus for the development of the The Community Sector Research Clearing House . The project is primarily funded by the Community Partnership Fund, Department of Internal Affairs, the ASB Community Trust and  is  a collaborative, non-profit, project. It provides research and other resources to people and organisations involved in Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research and enables registration  to  find/ share community research or find resources or researchers with similar interests.

Social Policy and Research

The SPEaR website is  a portal for the New Zealand social policy research and evaluation sector, highlighting the latest news, upcoming events, funding opportunities and jobs within this sector.