MP Ingrid Leary, Labour’s spokesperson for mental health, welcomed the news last month from Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, who announced the government would begin publicly reporting youth mental health wait times. But Leary said failing to count the number of declined referrals meant only half the picture was being told. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission agreed counting declined referrals was important. “Young people have told us they often do ask for help and the NZ Health Survey shows that younger adults (15-34) more likely to seek help for mental health. Reporting on wait times would begin from next quarter, and on Thursday, the government would be releasing its Mental Health Strategy at Parliament.