What is mental health?

The Times is partnering with University of Auckland Media, Screen Studies and Communications student Kaitlyn Norton to publish a series of news stories examining New Zealand’s mental health sector. This is part one.

By Kaitlyn Norton

There’s a range of opinions among the people working within New Zealand’s mental health sector about what exactly mental health is and how it’s defined.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says it’s the “ability or inability to manage stress in our life”.

“Everyone is different, some people can manage stress, others less so, but everyone can

learn the tools for better mental health. Mental health is not just the elimination of mental distress but also the promotion of mental well-being.”

Shaun Robinson, the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, says mental health is something we all have.

“Just like we have physical health, we also have mental health. Sometimes our health is strong and sometimes it’s challenged. It’s not just about illness, it’s about our overall well-being and how we cope with everyday life.

“I don’t think it means being happy all the time. Life throws challenges at all of us. It’s more about having the tools and support to get through those tougher moments, to stay connected to people, and to keep functioning in a way that feels meaningful.”

Robinson says he often thinks about mental health in terms of the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

“Implementing simple things like connecting with others, being active, taking notice of little things that give me joy, giving, and continuing to learn. Those aren’t big, dramatic changes – they’re small, everyday actions that help ‘top up’ your mental health over time.

“I have my own mental health challenges, and I use the Five Ways to Wellbeing every day to help me stay healthy. That’s also what campaigns like ‘Top Up Together’ are about. It’s the idea we need to look after our well-being regularly, not just when things go wrong, and that we’re better when we support each other along the way.”

East Auckland local Richie Barnett, the partnerships manager for the mental health charity I Am Hope Foundation, says mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

“It influences how we think, how we feel, how we cope with life’s challenges, and how we

connect with others. Just like physical health, everyone has mental health, and it can move along a spectrum depending on life experiences, stress, support systems, and resilience.

“Having challenges with mental health is not about weakness – it’s about being human. “Feeling broken at times doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, it means you’re carrying something that needs support, connection, and understanding.”