Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
The New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) included a module on mental health and problematic substance use (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use) in 2016/17, 2021/22 and 2022/23.
The Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer presents data from that module and covers topics such as mental health, risk of problematic substance use, informal help-seeking and access to mental health and addictions services for adults and children.
It presents the latest results by gender, age, ethnic group, disability status, and neighbourhood deprivation, as well as changes over time.
Published data can be downloaded from the Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer as a.csv file.
Because of smaller achieved sample sizes in 2021/22 and 2022/23 due to COVID-19, data from these years have been pooled (combined) to produce more precise estimates. The combined data is referred to as 2021–23 data and has a slightly smaller sample size compared to 2016/17: 10,256 adults and 2,628 children in 2021–2023, compared with 12,929 adults and 3,733 children in 2016/17.
More information
Further details on the findings from the mental health and problematic substance use module are included in the Mental health and problematic substance use: New Zealand Health Survey 2016/17 and 2021-23 report. The findings can then be used to inform a more nuanced approach to preventing and managing poor mental health and problematic substance use.
For an overview of the methodology used in collecting, and preparing results from, the mental health and problematic substance use module, see the methodology page of the Mental health and problematic substance use data explorer.
If you have any queries about this New Zealand Health Survey data on mental health and problematic substance use, please email [email protected].
