Mental health system laid bare
A national target to measure access to mental health services will ‘‘transform the system’’, a sweeping inquiry into the state of mental health services has found.
It’s the top recommendation in a 200-plus-page report, which seeks to shine a light on the failings of the system.
Early in the Government’s first term, Health Minister David Clark halted the public reporting of National Health Targets.
They were a key yardstick of the previous National Government, but were often criticised by Labour for encouraging ‘‘perverse outcomes’’.
The panel has recommended a new target for significantly increased access to mental health and addiction services, currently sitting at 3.7 per cent nationally.
‘‘Given current prevalence data suggesting one in five people experience mental health and addiction challenges at any given time, an indicative access target may be 20 per cent within the next five years.’’
Clark said some things could be addressed in relatively short order, but others, like workforce shortage, would take years to address. ‘‘I think some of the recommendations in this report will still be shaping Government policy in a decade’s time. The terms of reference include things like the determinants of health; housing, education, financial pressures and broader social pressures, community responses. ‘‘These things don’t change overnight.’’
It provides a detailed action plan of reform in areas of access to services, treatment and suicide reduction, however some have already noted the absence of any mention of synthetic psychoactive substances, and behavioural addictions like problem gambling.
Among the report’s 40 recommendations: A suicide reduction target of 20 per cent by 2030.
Such a target has drawn fierce debate over whether a ‘‘zero tolerance’’ should be adopted instead.
Clark would not be drawn on any potential Government response before it had worked through all of the recommendations.
The panel also called for an expansion to services.
‘‘Especially additions to medication such as talk therapies, alcohol and other drug services and culturally aligned therapies.’’
Much of the debate around mental health services has centred on ‘‘underfunding’’ of the services already provided.
Clark has conceded that a large dollar sum would need to be dedicated by the Government at Budget time, to greatly expand the options available to mental health patients.
Led by professor Ron Paterson, the six-person panel of respected experts and academics found one of the most significant problems was the narrow focus of funding towards the sharp end of mental illness.
Auckland University of Technology professor Max Abbott said the review had offered a detailed blueprint for progress. Following through would be the challenge for future governments.