20-30% of school age children in NZ are experiencing a mental disorder 12-15% of these are moderate to severe By 11 years old, 18% have a mental disorder By 15 years old, 25% have a mental disorder By 18 years old 45% have a mental disorder
The majority of young people have used alcohol at some point by mid adolescence. Approximately 33% will have used cigarettes. Nearly 50% will have tried an illicit drug.
A significant proportion are drinking before secondary school. Alcohol related events are now the leading cause of death in youth in NZ.