- MEDIA RELEASE -
It’s time to radically rethink mental health and addictions
Platform congratulates Network 4 on the release today of Closing the Loop. With it the group of primary health
organisations joins the chorus strongly declaring that New Zealanders are being let down by the current mental health
and addictions system, and that it's time for change.
“It’s time for a radical rethink” states Naomi Cowan, Chairperson of Platform Trust. “Kiwis have to receive the right
amount and the right type of support they need, when they need it and delivered as close to home as they can get it. It
just makes sense!”
This means that investment in New Zealanders’ wellbeing should be occurring before they end up requiring intensive and
expensive supports. The current model means that people needing help often find a series of disjointed 'wrong doors'.
Platform believes that services need to be interconnected with collaborative approaches by non-government organisations,
district health boards and primary health organisations all working together.
“Great work is already occurring in pockets around the country,” enthuses Marion Blake, CEO of Platform Trust.
“Government departments need to be brave and resource these trials of multi-agency pilots to evolve the ideas that will
lead the way to a better system.”
Naomi agrees. “Let's stop treating wellbeing as a medical or health issue.”
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More information on Platform's position is available in its On Track publication on the website www.platform.org.nz