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Health status indicators > Mental health

Table 26: Mental health indicators

Indicator
Māori
non-Māori
Males
Females
Total
Males
Females
Total
Serious mental disorders (self-reported), 15+ years, percent 1,2,3 *
2.2
(0.7-3.6)
2.0
(1.1-2.9)
2.1
(1.3-3.0)
2.0
(1.3-2.8)
3.1
(2.4-3.9)
2.6
(2.1-3.1)
Dual alcohol (potentially hazardoud drinking pattern) or drug (monthly marijuana user) and serious mental disorder (self-reported), 15+ years, percent 1,2,4 *
1.1
(0.0-2.3)
0.8
(0.1-1.6)
1.0
(0.3-1.6)
0.8
(0.2-1.3)
1.0
(0.5-1.5)
0.9
(0.5-1.3)
Notes:
1 Age-standardised to 2001 Census total Māori population.
2 Priortised Māori ethnic group - see Methods and Data Sources section for further information.
3 'Serious mental disorders' include depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
4 'Potentially hazardous drinking' is an established pattern of drinking that carries with it a high risk of future damage to physical or mental health, but has not yet resulted in significant medical or psychiatric effects. Potentially hazardous drinking is defined by an Alcohol Use Disorder Idenfication Test (AUDIT) score greater than or equal to 8 (out of 40).
Source:* 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey

Both Māori and non-Māori adults had similar prevalences of self-reported serious mental disorders. The prevalence of having a serious mental disorder and either potentially hazardous drinking or regular marijuana use was also similar for Māori and non-Māori.

Reliable estimates of the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (eg, anxiety and depressive disorders) in the New Zealand population are provided in The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, Te Rau Hinengaro.