Demand for mental health services ‘overwhelming’

WELLINGTON: Politicians have been told pressures on the mental health system are not sustainable and demand is overwhelming.

Members of the Ministerial Inquiry into Mental Health appeared before the health select committee on Wednesday sending a clear message that change must happen.

The six members of the panel travelled the length of the country, attending 400 meetings and receiving more than 5000 submissions.

Inquiry chairman Ron Paterson told the committee services were variable, and too often they were provided in old and shabby facilities that were not good for patients or staff.

He said a lack of services offering a continuum of care meant people were struggling to access services.

In addition, more people were subject to compulsory treatment orders or being held with restraints and seclusion.

He also reminded the committee of the strong pubic support there was for a crossparty group on mental health.

‘‘The voices that we heard when we went to schools, from counsellors, from students themselves, from parents, people are absolutely overwhelmed by demand in our communities.

‘‘We think there is an opportunity right across the political parties that are here at this table and the others that who aren’t here today to work together . . . an enduring commitment into the future.

‘‘The public doesn’t want mental health and addiction to be a political football.’’

Panel member Dean Rangihuna told politicians it was often confronting work, as many families had suppressed their sorrow, frustration and anger for too long.

‘‘We had to field a lot of that as we went across the country, it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy to absorb that, it wasn’t easy to hear from families, particularly when . . . [they] bought in . . . clothing family members suicided in.’’

The committee heard how the lack of community services often meant people received no treatment, because they did not meet the threshold for hospital treatment.

This was the sixth inquiry into the country’s mental health services since the first one was announced in 1858.

The Government has said it will respond to the inquiry next month. — RNZ