Media Release

27 August 2004

Input invited on new national mental health and addiction plan

A draft plan which will provide a future focus for mental health services in New Zealand over the next 10 years has begun public consultation this week.

Improving Mental Health: The Draft Second National Mental Health and Addiction Plan will be the focus of 24 meetings, hui and fono throughout the country during September and October to gain input from the mental health sector including consumers, family, funders, providers and other interested parties which can be used to further develop the plan. Submissions can also be made through the online submission form on the Ministry of Health website (www.moh.govt.nz) or in written form.

The Ministry of Health welcomes feedback on the draft document.

"I do hope you will take the opportunity to read this draft plan and let us know what you think," said Deputy Director General Mental Health, Dr Janice Wilson.

The Government is committed to investment in mental health and a vision of good mental health for all New Zealanders. Over the next four years, the Government will put an extra $250 million into implementing the Mental Health Commission's Blueprint picking up from the four year allocation of $257 million it made in 2000-01.

"I encourage people across the mental health sector to contribute to the development of the plan and the future direction of mental health services by making a submission and attending a public meeting," said Dr Wilson.

The new plan builds on the key directions and priorities of the National Mental Health Strategy's earlier Looking Forward(1994)and Moving Forward(1997) modernising them to take account of major changes to the health sector. These have included the establishment of 21 District Health Boards, and the development of Primary Health Organisations nationwide.

"The scope of Improving Mental Health is wide and covers the spectrum of interventions from prevention/promotion to primary care, to specialist services," she said. "It sets out a vision, goals and principles for mental health services from 2005 until 2015 and addresses the needs of one in five New Zealanders reported to have a mental illness."

The draft plan identifies seven strategic directions, objectives and actions for the next five to ten years.

The broad strategic directions include:

• more and better specialist services for those most severely affected by mental illness
  
• more and better services for Maori, who continue to enter mental health services at a higher rate than other population groups
  
• more responsive services which recognise the needs of culturally and ethnically diverse groups
  
• information and workforce systems development
  
• targeting mental health issues through primary health care
  
• mental health promotion and prevention
  
• removing social and economic barriers to recovery.

Issues surrounding alcohol and other drugs are made more explicit in this draft plan, and problem gambling is included for the first time. From 1 July 2004, the Ministry of Health became responsible for the funding and coordination of problem gambling services. These services are funded from a separate problem gambling levy imposed on the profits of different gambling sectors.

"This plan provides for a whole-of-government approach to mental health," said Dr Wilson. "Many of the broad social and economic determinants that impact on mental health and wellbeing lie outside the health sector. While Improving Mental Health does not set objectives or actions for other government agencies, it does identify where other policy and programmes can have a positive effect on mental health and recovery."


Background Information

How does this plan build on existing mental health strategies?

The second National Mental Health and Addiction Plan is a strategic work plan that builds on the National Mental Health Strategy, currently encapsulated in Looking Forward and Moving Forward. In addition to these documents, the Mental Health Commission's Blueprint For Mental Health Services in New Zealand: How things need to be has become an important document establishing service levels that guide the development of mental health services. The Government remains committed to implementing the Blueprint.


Will there be major changes to mental health services?

This plan builds further on existing services and takes advantage of the new opportunities provided by the Primary Health Care strategy, including the establishment of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs). It focuses on creating supportive communities and responsive, safe clinical environments for people in recovery.


How can this be achieved?

This plan recognises the need to improve the level and quality of services overall. Although services have grown significantly since Moving Forward was published in 1997, we recognise that more services does not necessarily mean better services. This plan places a greater emphasis on better services. It recognises particular areas of priority and identifies gaps in specialist service development.


How will PHOs be involved?

The establishment of PHOs provide a significant opportunity for the further development of mental health care in the primary health care sector. They offer an opportunity to develop effective services, establish alliances with providers and weave mental health considerations into every aspect of primary health care. Primary health care practitioners are best placed to identify potential and existing mental health problems at an early stage. Improving Mental Health outlines a number of actions that encourage PHOs to consider and develop their mental health service capability.


Where and when will the public meetings be held?

Go to the dates and times of the meetings

How else can submissions be made?

Public consultation begins on 23 August 2004 and ends on 29 October 2004. Meetings, hui and fono will be held between 16 September 2004 and 22 October 2004.