National reveals $100m spend for mental health package

The government has revealed details of its $100 million social investment fund, which aims to help sufferers of mental health issues, improve services and supply earlier intervention.

This fund is part of a $224 million boost for mental health services over four years in Budget 2017, building on previous investment in this area – increasing from $1.1 billion in 2008/09 to $1.4 billion in 2016/17.

“Mental health is a social investment priority for this government. It’s one of our most challenging social issues and it affects a large number of New Zealanders with complex needs,” Social Investment Minister Amy Adams says.

The funding covers 17 new initiatives, including reorienting the government’s approach to mental health toward a focus on prevention, early intervention and resilience-building (focused particularly on school-aged children and young people).

It will also provide a more effective range of responses to meet the needs of people in crisis (or at risk of a crisis situation), as well as upskilling the mental health workforce, Ms Adams says.

“We want to help individuals and their families through the challenges they are facing so they can lead healthier and more independent lives and we will need to bring together a range of services and targeted new approaches to do so."

Ms Adams says the government has brought together ministers, their agencies and experts to deliver a “cross-government approach” to mental health and to allocate the fund.

“In line with international trends we’ve seen an increase in demand for mental health and addiction services here in recent years,” Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

The Labour Party has been a staunch critic of the government’s track record on addressing mental health issues.

In May, then leader Andrew Little revealed Labour would introduce a pilot scheme of specialist mental health teams across the country in government to ensure swifter and more effective treatment for those who need urgent help.

He said Labour expected the teams would be able to help nearly 40,000 people each year at a cost of $43 million over the pilot.

“Mental health is in crisis. It needs a fresh approach so we can make a difference quickly because what we’re doing now just isn’t working.

“This is something you can’t put a bandage on and a Labour government will make it a priority to better equip our health system to cater for those crying out for help.”

Speaking to reporters at the prime minister’s post-cabinet press conference, Dr Coleman said he was confident that the packages would take New Zealand in the “right direction.”

“I am confident the range of measures here … represents a significant broadening of our approach to mental health and a significant step forward,” he says.