Free counselling for under-25s to start
The Government is looking for an agency to run a $10.5 million mental health pilot providing free counselling for 18-25 year olds.
The pilot will be the first major step on the way to fulfilling a pledge in the Green Party’s confidence and supply agreement with Labour to provide free counselling for everyone aged 25 years and under.
The $10.5m contract is now open for competitive tender, with the pilot expected to run over three years.
It’s understood the Ministry of Health is keen to bring the pilot forward to run over just two years instead.
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter said the pilot was needed to find out what will work in a New Zealand context.
‘‘There’s increasing international evidence that psychological therapies can help improve the mental health of young people,’’ Genter said.
‘‘There needs to be more information about what works in the New Zealand context, what works for young Ma¯ori, young people with disabilities, young Pacific people and young rainbow New Zealanders.
‘‘This pilot can help us gather that information – and at the same time make a difference in the lives of those young people that use its services.’’
Health Minister David Clark said getting in early with mental health issues was key. ‘‘We know young people with mild to moderate mental health needs need help,’’ Clark said.
‘‘Three-quarters of all lifetime cases of mental illness start by 25 years of age. That underlines the importance of providing support for our young people as soon as possible.
‘‘We need to make a difference to those rangatahi who aren’t currently accessing mental health services for a variety of reasons – because they can’t afford them, the services aren’t appropriate, or because their needs aren’t recognised as severe enough.’’
Labour campaigned on putting mental health nurses in every public high school and launching a mental health inquiry. The inquiry is wrapping up a nationwide tour currently.
The Greens campaigned on securing free counselling for all under 25s, with an aim to eventually extending this to all adults.
The Government has been criticised for axing the funding of an $8m pilot that would see a mental health worker attend all crisis calls along with police and ambulance staff.
The pilot was part of a $100m mental health package announced by the previous government. The money – while not allocated – had been set aside in a contingency fund.