The National Depression Initiative (NDI) is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to preventing suicide, along with improving the mental health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. It works to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety on the lives of New Zealanders by helping early recognition, appropriate treatment, and recovery.
The NDI includes depression.org.nz, which has an online self-help tool fronted by Sir John Kirwan (The Journal), as well as information specifically for LGBTI, deaf, men, rural, Māori and Pacific peoples. The website is translated into New Zealand sign language. There is also a youth-focused website called The Lowdown. These websites provide a range of tools and resources to support New Zealanders who are experiencing mental distress.
The objectives of NDI are to:
- strengthen individual, family and social factors that protect against depression and anxiety
- help families, communities and professionals with tools and resources to support people who are experiencing depression and anxiety.
Our work is supported by a marketing approach that can include television and digital advertising, as well as print resources. There is also a telephone service that offers advice and counselling for people seeking help for themselves or others. Homecare Medical provides this telephone service.
We also support health partners and wider sector stakeholders with information and resources, including videos like this one, which was developed alongside Mobile Health to provide an overview of the NDI to GPs.
We undertake a range of research, monitoring and evaluation projects to inform our programmes and the wider sector. View our mental health publications.
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