Mental health response for Canterbury 111 calls

People in Canterbury experiencing mental distress have received support from a new mental health co-response team since it began operating, with early results showing the service is already delivering positive outcomes for the region, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.

“Since the end of May, 35 people have received support through this new co-response team. Early feedback shows the team is making a real difference for people in the Canterbury region,” Mr Doocey says.

“The new co-response team brings together mental health professionals and Police to respond to people experiencing mental distress 111 calls.

“This is about recognising that while Police play an important role in keeping people safe, mental health professionals have the skills and experience to provide support for people experiencing distress. Police are not mental health professionals.

“It’s utterly unacceptable that before this in Canterbury, when a concerned mum, dad, friend, or colleague called 111 looking for a mental health response, they received a criminal justice response. This Government is changing that because New Zealanders deserve better.

“Canterbury was chosen to be in the first tranche because we know there is higher demand in the region. The team started working on 25 May and has been operating 10 hours per day, Tuesday to Friday, from midday to 10pm and 10am to 8pm on Fridays.

“Early feedback from the region has been positive. The Specialist Mental Health Services adult acute inpatient service recently noted the impact that input from the co response team had on an admission process. Police have indicated this support is highly valued and is resulting in some people not needing to be taken to the Emergency Department.

“This reinforces what we already know about why this model works. The Wellington co response evaluation found there was a reduction in the use of powers under the Mental Health Act, fewer people needed to go to an emergency department or police station, and the level of wraparound support increased.

“This responds to the many heartbreaking stories from people with their own experience of having a uniformed Police officer turn up during times of mental health need, who have said clearly this has caused further distress.

“We are committed to delivering a better crisis response and the co-response teams form part of that plan.” ...