Anthony O'Brien

Guest writer

Associate Professor Anthony O’Brien is a lecturer in mental health nursing at the University of Waikato. Anthony’s academic focus includes mental health legislation and improving services to users of mental health services.

Image: Ministry of Health

The countdown is on to reinvent our outdated, unfit Mental Health Act

After a long, long wait, the next few months bring a once-in-a-generation chance to drag our mental health system out of the past.

By Anthony O'Brien | 28th October, 2021

Countdown LynnMall staff comfort each other after a violent extremist stabbed six people before being shot by police (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

The Mental Health Act is not a tool to detain would-be terrorists. The very idea is dangerous

The legislation cannot and should not be used to plug a gap in criminal law.

By Anthony O'Brien | 5th September, 2021