Tauranga residents experiencing mental distress will soon receive support from a new mental health co-response team, Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, has confirmed.
The co-response team, comprising Police and mental health workers, will be fully operational by the end of next month, the Minister said.
The team will include crisis clinicians, support workers or peer support workers, and a Police officer on each shift.
“It’s utterly unacceptable that when a concerned mum, dad, friend, or colleague calls 111 looking for a mental health response, they receive a criminal justice response. This Government is changing that because New Zealanders deserve better,” Mr Doocey said.
“Bay of Plenty was included in the first tranche of co-response teams because we know there is high demand for mental health crisis responses in the region. Within a month of starting, the team had already responded to 52 people in crisis.
“We know 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.
“I have heard many heartbreaking stories from advocates, those with lived experience, and families that having a uniformed Police officer turn up during times of mental health need can cause further distress. Most of the time, these people have not done anything criminally wrong, yet a Police officer turns up at what can be the lowest point in their life.
“While we know Police do an excellent job in our communities, the bottom line is they are not mental health professionals. That is why we are overhauling the way emergency services respond to 111 calls for people experiencing mental distress, because New Zealanders deserve a better crisis response,” he said.
