Latest news with #Doocey
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Data Shows Mental Health Access Improving
Minister for Mental Health Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government's mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders. "I'm pleased to see that at a national level, 84.3 per cent of people are accessing primary mental health and addiction services within one week, well above the 80 per cent target and well above the quarter one result of 80.8 per cent,'Mr Doocey says. 'In addition, 82.4 per cent of people are being seen by specialist services within three weeks of referral, also exceeding expectations and two per cent higher than the quarter one result.' While the positive national trends in access are encouraging, the Minister acknowledged that performance remains uneven across regions and emphasised the need to lift results in underperforming districts. 'I have been meeting with Health NZ's Regional Deputy Chief Executives to understand the challenges and plans to lift performance. 'In particular, performance on reducing emergency department (ED) stays for mental health related presentations remains a challenge. The national result rose to 66.1 per cent in quarter three, up from 63.5 per cent in quarter one.' This average result falls short of the 74 per cent milestone for the Shorter Stays in ED target, twelve of the twenty districts have reached it in quarter three. 'We know that EDs aren't always the best place to seek mental health support for a number of reasons, but every year thousands of Kiwis turn up at EDs look for mental health support. That is why we are investing in peers support specialists in eight large hospitals over two years. We are also opening 6 new crisis cafes and boosting telehealth and our community services,' Mr Doocey says. 'These results show we're making good progress, but we're not there yet. This Government is committed to partnering with those working on the frontline to ensure they have the support they need to support others in when they need it. 'As New Zealand's first Minister for Mental Health, I have consistently said that accountability is vital and that we will continue to take a proactive approach to improving access and providing timely mental health and addiction support when and where it's needed.' Notes: Factsheets for quarter three results can be found here. Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within three weeks. 82.4 percent of people were seen by specialist mental health service within three weeks in quarter 3, compared with 80.4 percent in quarter 1. Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within one week. 84.3 per cent of people were seen by primary mental health service within one week in quarter 3, compared with 80.8 percent in quarter 1. Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments: target of 95 percent of mental health and addiction-related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours. 66.1 per cent of people were admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours in quarter 3, compared with 63.5 percent in quarter 1. Increased mental health and addiction workforce development: target of training 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year. Increased mental health and addiction workforce development – 349 (This number includes semester one intake only) Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention: target of 25 percent of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention.
The Spinoff
3 days ago
- Health
- The Spinoff
Can a new suicide prevention plan save more NZ lives?
The mental health minister says clear milestones and better accountability are among the reasons he's hopeful the plan will work, writes Catherine McGregor in today's extract from The Bulletin. A new strategy with sharper teeth Mental health minister Matt Doocey has unveiled the government's latest Suicide Prevention Action Plan, a five-year strategy aimed at reducing New Zealand's persistently high suicide rate. Doocey said the plan would be markedly different from its predecessor, with a focus on accountability, clear milestones and agency responsibilities, RNZ reports. Among the plan's key actions are opening six regional 'crisis cafes' – 'safe space[s] for someone in distress that [are] staffed by people with lived experience', according to Doocey – improving access to suicide prevention supports, and growing a skilled workforce trained in suicide prevention. The plan also includes new regional services and funding initiatives targeting high-risk communities, including rural areas, mothers and youth. Doocey emphasised that those with experience of suicide played a key role in shaping the plan, which received input from more than 400 individuals and organisations. A high toll of lives lost The plan is aimed at addressing New Zealand's concerningly high suicide rate. In the year to June 2024, 617 people died by suspected suicide in New Zealand, up from 566 the previous year. It should be mentioned here that the chief coroner last year noted that the overall statistical rate of suicide was not considered to have changed since 'fluctuations in rates from year to year are common in suicide data'. Be that as it may, the 2024 figure was almost twice the road toll in the same period, report Kim Griggs and Brittany Keogh in The Post (paywalled). The national rate is now at 11.2 per 100,000 people, with male rates (15.9) far outpacing female rates (6.4). Young people continue to be at greatest risk, with the 20–24 age group recording the highest rate at 19.9. Māori remain disproportionately affected, with a suspected suicide rate of 16.4 – twice that of Pasifika, and more than three times the rate for those of Asian ethnicity. The figures also show regional disparities, with the former Lakes DHB area reporting the highest rate (26.8). Debating the data Last month, a Unicef report made national headlines after it placed New Zealand last among 36 high-income countries for youth mental wellbeing, citing a youth suicide rate more than triple the international average. It also found that New Zealand's children experienced the second highest rate of bullying out of the countries included. However, experts including University of Auckland academics Sarah Hetrick and Sarah Fortune have cast doubt on the report's conclusions. The Unicef analysis was based on confirmed suicide data from 2018–2020, ignoring more recent downward trends in suspected suicides among 15 to 19-year-olds, they said. Unicef Aotearoa's Tania Sawicki Mead explained that 'the report uses like-for-like data' in order to ensure consistency when comparing countries. The role of financial hardship While many factors contribute to suicide rates, they cannot be separated from the broader socio-economic climate. Last year an international academic review of global suicide research, published in the Lancet, found a consistent link between economic downturns – especially rising unemployment – and higher suicide rates. Feelings such as 'defeat and humiliation, entrapment, lack of belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness' can be key precursors to suicidal thinking, the authors wrote. 'Some or all of these psychological processes might be at play for those who are economically disadvantaged.' In the post-Covid era New Zealand has faced a dramatic economic slowdown, with mounting living costs and rising job insecurity. These pressures disproportionately affect those already vulnerable – especially young people, Māori, and rural communities. As Georgie Craw wrote recently in The Spinoff, policies that focus solely on GDP growth miss the point: 'GDP doesn't tell us if children are fed, if they feel safe, if they can access mental health support when they're struggling.' Any serious suicide prevention strategy, experts like the Mental Health Foundation's Shaun Robinson argue, must look beyond clinical services to address the deeper social conditions that foster despair.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Waimakariri MP launches suicide prevention plan
The Government has launched a "targeted plan" to prevent suicide, outlining a five-year whole-of-government approach. Waimakariri MP and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the latest Suicide Prevention Action Plan at Te Rau Ora, a Māori-focused mental health and addiction organisation, on Tuesday. Doocey said New Zealand continued to face "stubbornly high" suicide rates, with 617 people dying last year by suspected suicide, and the Government had a "duty" to do more to ensure everyone could access support and go on to live the life they deserved. "What sets this plan apart from the last is the actions in the plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates and, importantly, an accountable agency." The plan included 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions. "The action's overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of - or affected by - suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention," Doocey said. The plan specified four new health and cross-government actions: - Improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports - Grow a capable and confident suicide prevention and postvention workforce - Strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention - Improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and our understanding of suicide The first action included establishing a suicide prevention community fund by the end of this year that focused on populations experiencing "higher rates of suicidal distress", like maternal, youth and rural communities, to go alongside funds already available for Māori and Pacific peoples affected. By the end of October, it would also look to establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting to hospital with mental health and addiction needs. Before that, six regionally led and community-designed crisis recovery cafés or hubs would be set up, so people didn't always have to resort to an emergency department and could receive care in the community. Growing the workforce included expanded suicide prevention training and guidance to better equip those workforces, as well as families to support people who may experience suicidal distress. Action 4 included establishing a cross-agency working group by the end of September that would monitor progress against suicide prevention actions. Doocey said he was particularly proud of this plan, because it was grounded in lived experience, after 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including those who had experienced suicidal distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. "Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas." As part of the announcement, Doocey acknowledged those who had lost their lives to suicide, and those who were struggling with mental health or addiction. Implementation of the plan will be supported by existing funding of $20 million a year, plus an additional $16 million a year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Targeted Action On Suicide Prevention
Minister for Mental Health The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has today launched the Government's Suicide Prevention Action Plan which sets out a five-year whole-of-government approach to preventing suicide in New Zealand. 'I want to acknowledge the people who have lost their lives to suicide, those struggling with their mental health or addiction, and those with lived experience or who have been affected by suicide,' Mr Doocey says. 'New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates. Last year, 617 people died by suspected suicide. Behind that number are grieving families, friends, colleagues, and communities. 'What sets this Plan apart from the last is the actions in the Plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates, and importantly an accountable agency. 'There are 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions in the Plan. The actions overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of, or affected by suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention. 'I am particularly proud that this plan is grounded in lived experience. More than 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including many who have experienced distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas. 'Some key actions include by the end of this year establishing a new suicide prevention community fund. This will provide targeted support that is focused on populations experiencing higher rates of suicidal distress. 'We know one of the biggest barriers to support is our workforce. The Plan includes initiatives that will grow our workforce, such as by expanding suicide prevention training and strengthening existing resources to better equip workforces, communities and families. 'We want people to receive care in the community instead of resorting to an emergency department, that is why by the end of next June, we will have rolled out six crisis recovery cafés that will provide more options for people experiencing distress. 'However, for those who are presenting to emergency departments in mental distress, by the end of December we will establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting with mental health and addiction needs.' Implementation of the action plan will be supported by existing suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus allocation of an additional $16 million per year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the Plan. 'There is hope and a way forward. Suicide is preventable and we have a duty as a Government, and as a country, to do more to ensure all New Zealanders have the access and support they need to heal and go on to live the life they deserve,' Mr Doocey says.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Govt launches suicide prevention plan
The government has launched a "targeted plan" to prevent suicide, outlining a five-year whole-of-government approach. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the latest Suicide Prevention Action Plan at Te Rau Ora, a Māori-focused mental health and addiction organisation, on Tuesday. Doocey said New Zealand continued to face "stubbornly high" suicide rates, with 617 people dying last year by suspected suicide, and the government had a "duty" to do more to ensure everyone could access support and go on to live the life they deserved. "What sets this plan apart from the last is the actions in the plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates and, importantly, an accountable agency." The plan included 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions. "The action's overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of - or affected by - suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention," Doocey said. The plan specified four new health and cross-government actions: - Improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports - Grow a capable and confident suicide prevention and postvention workforce - Strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention - Improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and our understanding of suicide The first action included establishing a suicide prevention community fund by the end of this year that focused on populations experiencing "higher rates of suicidal distress", like maternal, youth and rural communities, to go alongside funds already available for Māori and Pacific peoples affected. By the end of October, it would also look to establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting to hospital with mental health and addiction needs. Before that, six regionally led and community-designed crisis recovery cafés or hubs would be set up, so people didn't always have to resort to an emergency department and could receive care in the community. Growing the workforce included expanded suicide prevention training and guidance to better equip those workforces, as well as families to support people who may experience suicidal distress. Action 4 included establishing a cross-agency working group by the end of September that would monitor progress against suicide prevention actions. Doocey said he was particularly proud of this plan, because it was grounded in lived experience, after 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including those who had experienced suicidal distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. "Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas." As part of the announcement, Doocey acknowledged those who had lost their lives to suicide, and those who were struggling with mental health or addiction. Implementation of the plan will be supported by existing funding of $20 million a year, plus an additional $16 million a year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan.
