Mental health boost too little
A multi-million-dollar boost to mental health funding could still see more people struggling to get the help they need, campaigners say.
The Government announced an extra $224 million would be put into mental health services over four years as part of its 2017 Budget.
However, a Tararua mental health campaigner expected the money to have little impact where it was most needed.
Rex Rosacker, of Norsewood, had to rescue a family member who had attempted to kill himself, after police and mental health services did not help him.
‘‘I don’t want people to go through what I have gone through. I would not wish it on anyone.’’
Rosacker said there had been five suspected suicides in Dannevirke in the past five weeks.
The deaths had a huge impact on the community, he said.
‘‘Some of these people have young families they are leaving behind.’’
He said rural areas were being forgotten and mental health problems were occurring more often.
Though he was hopeful the spending might help, he said he had lost faith in people being able to properly assess patients with mental health issues.
‘‘They take them in and they let them go.’’
Public Service Association member and mental health social worker Andy Colwell said the gap between demand and funding was getting bigger.
‘‘As a mental health worker it is frustrating seeing struggling families in life-threatening situations being told they can’t be seen due to underfunding. This Budget means the situation is going to get worse and that is incredibly distressing.’’
Yeswecare.nz campaign coordinator Simon Oosterman said he believed mental health services had been underfunded by $50m.
‘‘We’ve had nine years of a Government that has allowed mental health services and struggling Kiwis to spiral into crisis.’’
The Government has pledged to invest $124m of the money into new innovative approaches.
Social Investment Minister Amy Adams said mental health was a priority for the Government.
‘‘It’s one of our most complex social issues, and it is having big impacts across the employment, housing, health and justice sectors.
‘‘Mental health issues can lead to much poorer outcomes for these people and their families. It’s important to come up with innovative solutions which keep up with the evolving needs of New Zealanders.’’
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said New Zealand had experienced an increase in demand for mental health and addiction services in recent years.
‘‘Cabinet will soon consider a new mental health and addiction strategy, which will include our new approach to dealing with mental health issues.’’