Mental health and addiction regional workshops set the scene
The Ministry’s Mental Health and Addiction directorate, led by Robyn Shearer, held five initial workshops in late-July on the Government’s major Budget 2019 initiative: expanding access to and choice of primary mental health and addiction support and services.
Minister of Health, Dr David Clark, has attended workshops and conveyed his vision and expectations to people from district health boards, primary health organisations, NGOs, community and kaupapa Māori providers, as well as people representing lived experience voices.
“The workshops have been a fantastic chance to get us all connected on what we can move quickly on now and roll-out in the future to improve New Zealanders’ wellbeing,” says Robyn Shearer.
“In the coming months, we’ll be calling for expressions of interest from people wanting to play a part in the new services. As part of this, we’ll be looking for new options, such as digital and web-based therapies, youth ‘one-stop shops’, kaupapa Māori services, and grassroots organisations not traditionally funded, but working with people in their communities.
“There’s a strong expectation that the sector collaborates with and reflects the needs of people who have experienced mental health and addiction challenges, in the new services which are created. The Ministry recognises that we need to help support the sector to make this change,” Robyn says.
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