NZ halts puberty blockers for new patients as mental health issues rise | Stuff.co.nz скачать в хорошем качестве

NZ halts puberty blockers for new patients as mental health issues rise | Stuff.co.nz

A new health report shows rates of anxiety and depression have risen sharply across New Zealand, even as the mental health and addiction workforce grows. The Government has now confirmed that from December 19, doctors will no longer be able to prescribe puberty blockers to new patients. Ministers say the move is a precautionary step, citing a lack of strong clinical evidence and international shifts in practice. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters welcomed the announcement, framing it as a promise kept after campaigning against the use of puberty blockers for young people. But a transgender woman who spoke to Stuff said the ban risks isolating young people experiencing gender dysphoria, describing the decision as harmful to mental health. Critics, including Labour’s Rainbow spokesperson Shannon Halbert, argue the decision should be left to medical professionals, young people and their families — not politicians. Political correspondent Zane Small explains the debate, the influence of the Cass review, and what today’s mental health data reveals about the wider pressures on New Zealand’s wellbeing system. Read more: For full coverage visit www.Stuff.co.nz Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2JPg8oB ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stuff is New Zealand's largest and most popular news site. With more than 500 journalists spread from Northland to Southland, we cover breaking news, politics, business, sport, crime, the environment, health, education, home and property, food, lifestyle, entertainment, weather, travel, technology, motoring, farming and much more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Social media channels: TikTok:   / nzstuff   Twitter:   / nzstuff