Calls for enhanced diversity awareness have emerged as community groups urge government engagement with various demographics in the development and implementation of proposed mental health and addiction peer support services within hospital emergency departments.
The announcement made by the country’s first mental health minister, Matt Doocey, revealed plans for specialized mental health support teams in hospital emergency departments. These teams, comprising peer support workers, aim to provide vital mental health assistance, connect individuals with community services, and offer solace to patients arriving alone, with family members, or accompanied by law enforcement.
The initiative is slated to commence in four major hospitals during the first year, expanding to an additional four hospitals in the second year. With an estimated cost of up to $500,000 per hospital, funding for this initiative will be drawn from unallocated Health NZ funds. Additionally, a $1 million fund has been designated for workforce training.
Peer support workers, individuals with lived experience of mental illness or addiction who have undergone recovery, are central to this initiative. However, Kelly Feng, Chief Executive at Asian Family Services, underscored the necessity for meticulous planning and consideration. While acknowledging the government’s commitment to mental health support, Feng emphasized the need for professional support and highlighted potential barriers arising from linguistic and cultural diversity within emergency department settings.
Feng stressed the importance of involving diverse ethnic communities in the design process to anticipate challenges and develop effective solutions. Furthermore, she advocated for the integration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide checks and balances and ensure robust support systems for peer support specialists.
Echoing these sentiments, Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, emphasized the significance of culturally appropriate services and the involvement of individuals with lived experience in service design. Orsborn called for ongoing refinement and improvement to meet the diverse needs of communities.
Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to address longstanding challenges in mental health care. Robinson underscored the value of peer support specialists drawn from local communities, emphasizing the importance of quick expansion and community engagement.
Jo Chiplin, Director of Mentally Well at Health NZ, emphasized the importance of tailoring services to local community needs and drawing from successful models both locally and internationally.
As the first peer support emergency department service prepares for launch in July, Minister Doocey affirmed plans for potential expansion pending the program’s success. With mental health issues affecting thousands annually, the initiative represents a crucial step toward addressing systemic gaps in mental health care.
