The policy surrounding counselling in schools that needs change is the ratio of 1:668 of counsellors to students. This current policy is not nearly sufficient for the rising number of mental health issues and needs to be increased in order to help young kiwis. It is important that this policy is changed as people are dealing with these mental health issues on a daily basis and without help, daily life is made so much harder.

By looking at counselling ratios around the world, it becomes obvious that New Zealand’s is not sufficient. The USA student to counsellor ratio is 1:415, although ASCA (American School Counsellor Association) recommends a ratio of 1:215; Finland has one of the best ratios at 1:245. It is very evident that New Zealand is far behind other countries in terms of mental health support even though it has been an apparent issue within the school system for many years.

If this petition gathers a large number of signatures, it will be clear evidence that change is crucial. We can then take this petition to Jaime Strange, Hamilton East MP in hopes that he can take further action with the government.