A new peer-led Crisis Recovery Café, Te Piringa Āhuru ki Maungawhau, has been officially opened in Mt Eden today.
Delivered by the grassroots mental health organisation, Ember Korowai Takitini, the facility serves as a free, calm, non-clinical alternative to a traditional hospital emergency department for individuals experiencing mental distress or addiction crises.
“Emergency departments aren’t always the best environment for someone experiencing mental distress. They can be busy, brightly lit and feel far too clinical, when often what someone needs is a calm place to sit down and talk to someone who understands,” said Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey.
“That’s why we are rolling out Crisis Recovery Cafés across the country, giving people faster access to peer support workers who can lend a listening ear, help connect people with community services and provide a safe place to go.
“The new Café, Te Piringa Āhuru ki Maungawhau is a place people can walk into without a referral and get support from people with their own lived experience, including practical support, advocacy and help connecting with other services.”
The first Crisis Recovery Café in the Northern Region was opened by Ember in South Auckland earlier this year, and it is now welcoming more than 500 people each month.
“This new Café will build on that experience and make peer-led support available closer to home for people in central Auckland,” said Mr Doocey.
The Café began operating on the 9th October from 12-8pm Monday to Friday. From the 27th October, it will be open seven days a week from midday to 8pm, including evenings and weekends.
“This is the third Crisis Recovery Café established in the Northern Region this year, following the South Auckland café in January and the Kaitaia café in August.”
“We are continuing to build a better future by delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response,” Mr Doocey said.
Visit Ember Korowai Takitini or check their official Locations and Services Portal.
