Mental health service needs cash,
A ‘‘vital’’ mental health service in Christchurch is at risk of closure unless it can raise $200,000 to fit out its new premises.
The Mental Health, Advocacy and Peer Support Trust (MHAPS) has to leave its current premises on the corner of Colombo and Peterborough streets at the end of June because it does not fit with the ‘‘glossy and corporate’’ vision for the area.
MHAPS, which helps about 1500 people each year, found new premises on Madras St after struggling for months to find another affordable space due to high rents and stigma.
However, it does not have the $200,000 needed to fit out the empty space and is calling for corporate sponsors to step in and donate cash, building materials or manpower.
If funds are not raised in time for the move, the service will be forced to operate without premises, meeting people in need in the streets, public libraries or their home – if they have one – and is at risk of eventually shutting down.
Māori health consumer advocate Darryn Williamson said MHAPS saved his life. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar in the 1990s at age 24 and had been in and out of psychiatric hospital about 15 times since.
He first walked into MHAPS in 2011 after a stay at Sunnyside Hospital. A Māori mental health organisation provided him with support during the week, but he felt helpless and lonely at the weekend. MHAPS was the only service open then.
‘‘They always take the time to sit and talk to you, no matter what you are going through.’’
He visited MHAPS almost every weekend and credited the service for helping him manage his mental health condition and becoming an active health consumer advocate.
The service was ‘‘vital’’ for people struggling with suicidal thoughts, addiction and selfharming, many of whom were homeless, he said.
MHAPS manager Fiona Clapham Howard said the new Madras St premises had about 20 per cent more floor space with no rent increase.
The organisation had been budgeting and planning for the move for the past two years, but the amount quoted to fit out the new space took them by surprise. Building costs had increased since MHAPS fitted out its Colombo St premises six years ago.
‘‘We had saved what we thought would be half of the costs and were expecting to make up the balance by approaching several charitable funders for one-off contributions.’’
About 80 per cent of MHAPS’ funding comes from the Canterbury District Health Board and the rest from charity funding.
The organisation, which was ‘‘busier than ever’’, would stage the fit out so it could keep operating, despite demand for its services growing. That could mean waiting until it could afford to get the new walls plastered or painted.
‘‘We will make do until more funds can be raised.’’
Clapham Howard said she was ‘‘in denial’’ about the service being at risk of closing if it did not get the extra money, but it would be difficult to keep operating long-term without premises.