New Zealander Anne Helm has received the 2013 Award for Exceptional Contribution to Mental Health Service in Australia or New Zealand by The Mental Health Services (TheMS) Conference.
Anne Helm has worked tirelessly to highlight psychiatric abuse and advocate for change within mental health services in New Zealand. She has been at the forefront of the consumer movement in New Zealand for over thirty years and remains as passionate about the issues today, devoting time and energy to the cause of recovery and resolving issues from the past.
Anne’s work includes:
- Panel member of the Confidential Forum for Former Inpatients of Psychiatric Hospitals established by the New Zealand Government.
- Subsequent advocacy for a government response to the Forum findings including appearing in the Mental Notes documentary
- Advocacy and advisory work at local and national level
- Work to promote the elimination of seclusion within mental health services in New Zealand.
