The Wellbeing of Children

23 June, 2014

The Wellbeing of Children

The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) commends the “Tick for Kids” campaign. This campaign asks us all to uphold our responsibility to support and enhance the health and wellbeing of our children and their communities.

The NZPsS agrees that focusing on the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of children in Aotearoa/New Zealand is essential to the wellbeing of our country. There is increasing evidence that poverty is part of the causation of mental health problems.

Director of Social Issues at the NZPsS, Quentin Abraham says that it is time that all political parties acknowledge that poverty, unhealthy living conditions, barriers to accessing health care, lack of educational attainment and exposure to violence are issues that impact disproportionately on children and require urgent and concerted action. Whilst communities can assist, it is governments who must take the initiative to make laws and policies to guide focused action and alleviate the lifelong effects of poverty.

We would like all our children to have the life chances and opportunities that the majority of New Zealanders would agree are fundamental to a satisfying and productive life. We look forward to a cross party consensus that will mobilise the public and political will to provide the investment, effort and commitment from us all to meet the needs of our children and in doing so the wellbeing of our country.

We believe that there is widespread support in Aotearoa/New Zealand for us to meet our commitment to the basic human and civil rights of children. Child poverty and other issues impacting on the wellbeing of children are political issues which need the consideration and action of us all.

About the New Zealand Psychological Society
The New Zealand Psychological Society is the largest professional association for psychologists in New Zealand. It has over 1500 members and subscribers and aims to improve individual and community wellbeing by representing, promoting and advancing the scientific discipline and practice of psychology.

ENDS

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