On World Mental Health Day, Tū Te Akaaka Roa, the New Zealand National Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), wants to make sure people living with mental health conditions can access a well-resourced and supported mental health system. 

This year's theme, Top Up Together, reminds us that a collective approach to wellbeing includes ensuring professional support is available for New Zealanders with moderate to severe mental illness in the community. But we cannot top up together if we're losing the experienced mental health workforce that provides essential care through burnout, moral injury and better opportunities in other countries.

Tū Te Akaaka Roa's psychiatry training pipeline report last year highlighted significant issues in the system, including a 19% vacancy rate in public services and just 13.6 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, compared to the OECD average of 18 per 100,000 people. It is unlikely that the numbers have improved in 2025.

With Aotearoa New Zealand's heavy reliance on overseas-trained psychiatrists, lower retention rates and ageing workforce, psychiatrists are worried about reaching a tipping point where there aren't enough psychiatrists to provide supervision for trainees or care for growing community demand.

Chair of Tū Te Akaaka Roa, Dr Hiran Thabrew, said: "While we're seeing positive momentum in mental health reform, retaining mental health workers remains critical, not just for the profession, but for every New Zealander who needs mental health care and treatment.

"Senior psychiatrists are the backbone of our training programs, essential to developing the next generation of clinicians who will care for our communities. They bring decades of clinical expertise and mātauranga Māori, cultural knowledge and the capacity to mentor trainees in the mental health system. 

“When we lose them, tāngata whaiora lose access to experienced care and the promise of a sustainable mental health workforce for the future.

"Too many experienced psychiatrists are moving overseas, leaving full time work, the public mental health system or the profession altogether due to burnout and moral injury from working in under-resourced environments. Every departure means fewer people available to help those in need.

"It takes nearly a decade to train a new psychiatrist. However, keeping those already in the system ensures New Zealanders with mental illness can access timely care and early intervention, preventing many from reaching crisis point.

“We simply cannot afford to lose more health professionals.”

Dr Thabrew called on the Government to continue building on recent progress with focused investment in workforce retention as part of its initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week.

"We need a clear and comprehensive retention strategy that addresses workforce vacancies by tackling unmanageable workloads, ensures adequate administrative support, and creates competitive working conditions that allow psychiatrists and trainees to stay in the system and deliver the quality care their patients deserve,” Dr Thabrew said.

Dr Thabrew acknowledged the collective efforts of the entire mental health workforce – including peer workers, nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, lived experience experts, carers, the Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Te Whatu Ora teams.

"We thank you for the incredible work you do every day for a healthier, happier and more productive Aotearoa. Together, we can top up our mental health system and ensure help is available for all those who need it, so the people of Aotearoa New Zealand can stay well and live well," Dr Thabrew said.

He waka eke noa (We are all in this together)

For media inquiries, please contact: Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org 

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.