<\/p>\n
\nKaren Orsborn, Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is calling for a national mental health crisis response system.<\/p>\n
It comes as the Commission’s latest publication – Urupare m\u014drearea: Crisis responses monitoring report – has found crisis response services are fragmented, inconsistent across the country and difficult to navigate.<\/p>\n
“We need to build a system that supports people when and where they need it,” chief executive Karen Orsborn said.<\/p>\n
“The current system doesn’t always work well for M\u0101ori, young people or those living rurally in particular.”<\/p>\n
Around 100 people access crisis mental health services every day, Orsborn said, and there was a need for consistency to ensure everyone in New Zealand could access the support they need at a time of crisis.<\/p>\n
“Right now, some districts have a range of crisis services while others have very limited options, especially after hours.”<\/p>\n
The Commission has called for a national mental health crisis response system to be in place by June 2027.<\/p>\n
It has also called for shorter-term action by June 2026, such as a 24\/7 helpline.<\/p>\n
Orsborn said around 35,000 people accessed crisis services last year, 51.7 percent of them through a helpline.<\/p>\n
Where to get help:<\/p>\n
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.<\/p>\n