Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, has today announced the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund.
Minister Doocey said the fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in grassroots initiatives through non-governmental and community organisations that deliver mental health and addiction support to New Zealanders.
“We know that community-based organisations are already delivering for Kiwis and have their own great ideas on how we can support more Kiwis to be well. It is vital that we enable them to deliver innovative projects and initiatives that increase faster access to better mental health support across New Zealand,” he said.
“I am pleased to announce that the first three recipients of the funding are Youthline, the Sir John Kirwan Foundation and MATES in Construction. By supporting these organisations, we are ensuring that more New Zealanders can access the care they need, when and where they need it.”
The three recipients announced today will share more than $2 million from the Fund.
Youthline will receive funding to expand its Counselling Your Way Programme, which is an eight-session structured intervention programme for young people aged 16-24 years experiencing low mood, depression and/or anxiety symptoms.
The Sir John Kirwan Foundation will receive funding to scale-up Mitey, a free, early intervention, preventative initiative that trains teachers to support children aged 5-13 years to learn the skills to recognise and respond to their own and others’ mental health.
MATES in Construction will receive funding for its community workplace-based programme, which aims to enhance the wellbeing of construction industry workers and build resilience within the industry. This extra funding will help it to expand its programme in main centres and into smaller regions around New Zealand.
“Thousands of Kiwis will benefit from the services provided by these organisations. However, we know there is more work to be done to strengthen mental health and addiction services,” said Mr Doocey.
“This fund is one of many initiatives that will support faster access to mental health and addiction support. Funding for Gumboot Friday, increased numbers of funded psychology internships and psychiatry trainees, our Peer Support Specialists in EDs and more are all helping to support the mental wellness of New Zealanders.”
The next round of funding for the Innovation Fund is expected to open in the middle of next year.
